|  | Public Health Safety | Public Health

Hazwoper Training Requirements

The Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) Standard 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.120 covers employees involved in voluntary and required uncontrolled hazardous waste site clean-up operations and corrective actions, hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal operations and hazardous materials emergency response operations. It sets minimum standards of required training for personnel involved in chemical emergency response operations, including 40 hours for general site workers. There are five levels of required documented training that require annual refresher training and competency evaluations.

  1. First Responder Awareness Level Training

    • First responder awareness level training is for individuals who are likely to be witness to or to find a hazardous substance release and report it. The training must prepare responders to understand all aspects of hazardous substance incidents, including emergencies, recognition of hazardous substances, their role in the emergency response plan and who to contact for assistance.

    First Responder Operations Level Training

    • First responder operations level training must be a minimum of 8 hours of training in hazard and risk assessment techniques, personal protective equipment, spill control and containment, decontamination and standard operating procedure. It is for individuals who respond to releases or potential releases as part of the initial response. It must include training to respond in a defensive manner to protect people, property and the environment, including covering drains, placing spill barriers and barricading access from a safe distance.

    Hazardous Materials Technician Training

    • Hazardous materials technician training must be a minimum of 24 hours of training for those who work close to potential release areas, are at high risk for exposure and will respond to releases to stop them. Hazardous materials technicians must understand emergency response plans, personal protective equipment, hazard and risk assessment, instrumentation, containment and control, decontamination, chemistry and toxicology.

    Hazardous Materials Specialist Training

    • Hazardous materials specialist training requires the same 24 hours of training that hazardous materials technicians get but includes more extensive training on the chemicals involved: understanding the state emergency plan, having extended hazard and risk assessment capabilities, being able to develop site safety and control plans and having more extensive knowledge of toxicology and chemistry. The hazardous materials specialist must support the hazardous materials technician and be a government authority liaison.

    On-Scene Incident Commander Training

    • Minimum on-scene incident commander training is 24 hours. Incident commanders work on site and take control of hazmat incidents and are trained to be in charge when there are leaks or spills of hazardous substances. They must know the incident command system, the employer's emergency plan and the local emergency plan, and they mush understand personal protective equipment and decontamination.

Public Health - Related Articles