OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER Certification

The Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard, commonly referred to as HAZWOPER, covers workers who face exposure to harmful and toxic materials. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has established training requirements for workers who make frequent, direct contact with these materials.

Workers

• Workers who remove hazardous waste or face exposure to health hazards on the job must complete a 40-hour, off-site training course for certification. The course may contain some online training, although hands-on training is preferred. Employees must complete at least three days of hands-on, supervised field experience. Training covers topics including on-site hazards, use of protective gear and ways to reduce risks and recognize signs of overexposure.

Managers

• Supervisory personnel also complete a 40-hour training regimen for certification. They take an eight-hour course covering employer-specific programs and procedures designed to monitor hazards, contain spills, train and protect employees and oversee health and safety.

Recertification

• All HAZWOPER-certified workers must complete at least eight hours of annual refresher training. In addition to core topics, this training may analyze on-site response to incidents involving hazardous materials. Employees may complete parts of the training through computerized self-paced study.