HAZWOPER is an acronym which stands for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response.  HAZWOPER training is covered under OSHA standard 29 CFR Part 1910.120. According to OSHA, the HAZWOPER standard applies to five groups of employers and their employees and specifically includes any employees who are exposed to hazardous substances and who are engaged in several operations including clean-up, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous waste. In addition, workers involved in an emergency response operation dealing with hazardous waste and workers who have to perform duties at a waste site where hazardous contamination are equally expected to be fully trained and protected.

 

Employees and employers covered by the OSHA HAZWOPER standard are required to take the initial HAZWOPER training which consists of a 24 or 40-hour course. Depending on your job type and experience, you may be able to take the 24-hour course to meet your HAZWOPER training requirement.

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Every year after the initial training requirement has been met, workers are required to take an 8-hour HAZWOPER refresher course. This refresher course is designed to meet the annual training requirement for hazardous waste operations and emergency response workers.