What Is HAZWOPER?
- What is HAZWOPER?
- What does HAZWOPER stand for?
- How do you define HAZWOPER?
These are all common questions! HAZWOPER is an acronym for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. HAZWOPER was a coordinated effort of The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) to protect workers who are involved in clean-up or who are exposed to hazardous materials or substances.
Hazardous Waste takes many forms, including:
- Gas
- Liquid
- Solid sludge
HAZWOPER Training teaches students how to protect themselves and how to keep themselves and others safe while working, including:
- Site Safety Plans
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Site Characterization
- Clean up operations
HAZWOPER Regulations
OSHA HAZWOPER regulations all fall under Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), part 1910.120, and Part 1926.65.
For more information on OSHA Regulations, visit:
The EPA HAZWOPER Regulations can be found in 40 CFR Part 311
These regulations go into more depth on worker protection and training.
The Most Important Elements Of HAZWOPER Training
HAZWOPER has two core training levels the 40-Hour HAZWOPER Training Course and the 24-Hour HAZWOPER Training Course! Both courses also require an annual 8 Hour HAZWOPER Refresher Class. The Training course you need will depend on job duties and level of exposure.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
PPE is always required when entering a HAZWOPER Site! The types and level of protection you need are dependent on the hazardous materials present and job duties.
Engineering Controls:
Engineering Controls are a modification to a piece of equipment, a process, or a workplace that will protect workers from chemical, physical, and biological hazards.
HAZWOPER Information:
All employees who work at hazardous sites across The United States must get proper information on HAZWOPER and hazards on-site, including health and safety plans (HSP), proper training, and informational programs.
Site Analysis:
Every hazardous site must have a site analysis performed to determine the extent and nature of the contamination! These are used to create site-specific Health and Safety Plans (HSP).
Medical Surveillance:
All workers who don and doff (take on and off) a respirator on the job and are exposed to hazardous materials at or above Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) have to be in a medical surveillance program! They will be given a physical exam and a pulmonary function test before starting work. After that, they will receive screening and checkups to make sure they are staying safe and healthy!
Air Monitoring:
Air monitoring is a key element and should be done before cleanup, after, and especially during work activities.
Decontamination (decon) procedures:
All sites are required to have a proper decontamination plan in the case of exposure to hazardous materials or substances.
Emergency Response Plan:
Every hazardous material site must have a proper Emergency Response Plan and be ready to respond to any emergency!
Who Needs HAZWOPER Training?
The HAZWOPER standard applies to five distinct groups of employers and their employees. This includes employees who are exposed or may potentially be exposed to hazardous substances-- including hazardous waste--and are engaged in one of the following operations as specified by 1910.120(a)(1)(i-v) and 1926.65(a)(1)(i-v).
Clean-up operations required by a governmental body, whether federal, state, local, or other involving hazardous substances, are conducted at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites.
Corrective actions involving clean-up operations at sites covered by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA) as amended (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.).
Voluntary clean-up operations at sites recognized by federal, state, local, or other governmental body as uncontrolled hazardous waste sites.
Operations involving hazardous wastes that are conducted at treatment, storage, and disposal facilities regulated by Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 264 and 265 pursuant to RCRA, or by agencies under agreement with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to implement RCRA regulations.
Emergency response operations for releases of, or substantial threats of release of, hazardous substances regardless of the location of the hazard.
Many employers will go beyond these requirements to make sure they have a safe workplace and get insurance breaks!
Want more information on 24-Hour HAZWOPER vs 40-Hour HAZWOPER? Check out our blog on it! 24-Hour HAZWOPER vs 40-Hour HAZWOPER Training Complete Guide!
Looking for more information on 40-Hour HAZWOPER? Try our 40-Hour HAZWOPER Complete Guide Post!
History Of HAZWOPER
In 1970 President Nixon signed The Occupational Safety and Health Act or OSH Act! This new law created the government agency everyone in the health and safety industry knows as The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA).
OSHA standards all fall under four categories:
General Industry Regulations 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910
Construction Regulations 29 CFR 1926
Maritime Regulations 29 CFR 1915-19 (Includes Shipyards, marine terminals & longshoring)
Agriculture Regulations 29 CFR 1928
On October 17, 1986, President Reagan added more regulations by signing the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act or SARA. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also has to put out identical regulations as OSHA for HAZWOPER. These regulations protect employees involved in Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response or HAZWOPER.
The final or most up-to-date major changes to HAZWOPER came in 1989/1990 when regulations on training employees who work on hazardous sites came into effect. OSHA holds the employer responsible for employees' safety, including safety plans, emergency response plans, and receiving proper training.
Does your worksite have a hazard that doesn't fall under any specific regulation? Any hazard that doesn’t fall under a specific regulation will fall under OSHA’s General Duty Clause.
Conclusion
Today we covered several topics relating to HAZWOPER. First, we went over what is HAZWOPER, or what does HAZWOPER stand for? This included what forms hazardous waste takes and HAZWOPER regulations OSHA Standard 1910.120, OSHA Standard 1926.65, and EPA 40 CFR Part 311.
Next, we reviewed the most important elements of HAZWOPER, which included training, personal protective equipment (PPE), engineering controls, HAZWOPER information, site analysis, medical surveillance, air monitoring, decontamination, and emergency response plans.
Last we went over who needs HAZWOPER Training? We discussed the HAZWOPER Standard 1910.10 and 1926.65 and to who the standard applies to. We ended with a history of HAZWOPER from its creation in 1970 by President Nixon to major training changes and work on hazardous sites in 1989/1990.
Are you ready to make your hazardous job site the safest in the industry? Get HAZWOPER Training today!
