The U.S. government has mandated the Hazwoper safety training for all those workers who are employed at hazardous waste sites or visit projects where uncontrolled hazardous waste is routinely present. The various topics for training include the nature of hazardous substances and materials and the risks associated with them. Recognizing hazardous waste materials, implementing response actions, controlling and containing procedures and the decontamination procedures are also taught to the trainees. The levels of training and certification exist. Also, there is the requirement of continuing education and training.
Hazwoper is basically short for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. It is an exclusive section and is the standard laid down by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that deals with hazardous waste operations. Hazwoper standard sketches out the minimum training requirements for all those people who work with hazardous waste or visit hazardous waste sites that might have chances of bringing them into contact with these waste materials.
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Hazwoper training certificate is required by all those who work in a hazardous environment, where workers may come in contact with uncontrolled hazardous wastes. However, the training program varies with the difference in exposure for those people who are assigned jobs in an uncontrolled hazardous waste site are supposed to undergo the 40 hour training program. This consists of 40 hours of classroom training and at least 3 days of on field training. This needs to be completed only once. Following this, they also need to complete the 8 hour refresher training course once a year for the validation of their certificate.
Those whose duties are restricted to visiting the hazardous waste sites needn't take up the 40 hour training course. The 24 hour training program has been designed for these employees. However, these employees should not be allowed to handle hazardous substances on a regular basis. Along with the 24 hour training, one day of field training also has to be given to these employees. In addition to this, they are also required to take up the
8 hour refresher training program on an annual basis.
Those who are employed for responding to emergencies have a separate course to undertake. These are the emergency medical personnel, police officers and the firefighters. They are supposed to take up the First responder Awareness Level Course that has been designed for them specifically.
It is important that employees enter the hazardous work area only after undergoing these training programs. Otherwise they should not be allowed in the work site where uncontained hazardous waste is present. Those employers who allow untrained personnel in their work site may face heavy citations.
These training courses are offered via classroom training and even online. Apart from that, the 40 hour and the 24 hour programs require on field training. The online training courses cover the required topics. However, the on-site, practical training remains the responsibility of the employer. Many different technical schools and community colleges offer these training courses. Also, the Internet has a vast array of these training programs.
