COVID-19 hasn’t slowed our writing team down. This year, they have finished writing our new HAZWOPER 40-hour training. They completed much of this feat while isolated at home during a state-wide lockdown. Needless to say, the entire Hard Hat Training team is excited to round off our HAZWOPER courses with the 40-hour; our customers can now fulfill all their HAZWOPER training needs in one place. Read on to find the answers to some common questions about HAZWOPER.
What is HAZWOPER?
The Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HAZWOPER) was enacted by OSHA in 1990. It is designed to protect workers involved in the initial stages of a chemical release emergency, the subsequent clean-up of a site once the emergency has been stabilized, and the clean-up of previous chemical contamination.
Who Needs Training?
HAZWOPER is designed to reduce the risks of chemical exposure to employees who will be working on an uncontrolled hazardous waste site or a treatment, storage and disposal facility (TSDF). It is also designed for emergency responders. (OSHA)
More specifically, these employees need HAZWOPER:
- Those who may be exposed to high concentrations of poisonous substances
- Those who may be exposed to chemicals that pose explosion or fire hazards
- Personnel entering sites with IDLH atmospheres
- Personnel who may be exposed to an oxygen-deficient atmosphere
- Those who are in charge of emergency response, including evacuations due to IDLH conditions
- Those performing confined space entry
- Anyone who supervises employees performing the above work
Can HAZWOPER Training be Completed Online?
Traditionally, HAZWOPER has been taught through conventional, instructor-led programs. However, with technology improvements, online safety training is becoming more accessible to employers. It offers a great deal of flexibility and can be a more cost-effective option than on-site training. HAZWOPER training is well-suited to the e-learning format.
Of course, there are limits to taking HAZWOPER courses online. There are essential components to HAZWOPER that can only be completed on site (donning and doffing PPE, for example). We provide a checklist to help guide trainers, if needed, in this practical assessment; this allows each employer to use the specific PPE and equipment they’ll have on site. It also allows employers to address site- or job-specific hazards.
How Long is HAZWOPER Certification Good For?
Certification is valid for 12 months, at which time refresher (8-hour) training is required in order to stay certified. However, if you have missed a refresher training course, you must attend the next available course. If a substantial amount of time has passed since your initial (24-hour or 40-hour) or refresher training, then you may need to repeat the initial training. The time frame within which it would be necessary to provide extensive retraining must be determined on a case-by-case basis. Ultimately, employees must be trained sufficiently to allow them to perform their expected job duties in a safe and healthful manner.
If you need initial or refresher training for HAZWOPER, visit us at hardhattraining.com.
Good luck and stay safe!