Have You Had Your HAZWOPER Training Yet?

The term HAZWOPER looks like a crazy word, but it is actually an acronym for the phrase hazardous waste operations and emergency response. Most companies have a team that works in this field to clean up spills in the environment. It is also a section of the OSHA handbook that lets you know what the requirements are for anyone who may encounter and need to work with hazardous materials on the job and what to do when they come in contact with them.

Because levels of exposure to the hazardous waste could vary, the level of necessary training also varies. Any time you may be around hazardous waste a certificate is needed. If your assignment includes normal duties where you will be exposed on a daily basis, you will need the 40 hour certificate for which you will be required to take a one time 40 hours in the classroom and training in the field, as well as a short refresher course every year.

However, if you only visit the area around the hazardous waste occasionally, then you only need the 24 hour training and yearly refresher course. There is also a first responder course option, which is for those emergency personnel who will be at the location of the spill first. Any needed training must take place before you get near any hazardous material or you may need to pay a fine.

There are several things that this HAZWOPER training entails. It includes any government required clean-up and clean-up corrections that may be done at sites that specialize in the cleaning up of hazardous waste. It can also include the clean-up of hazardous waste that is done voluntarily, and those that involve the storage, treatment, and disposal of the hazardous waste as well as any required emergency response to spills.

If you do any of the things mentioned above in your day to day activities at your job, then you are required by law to take the HAZWOPER training. Sometimes, the company you work for may decide that it is necessary for you to take the course in case you come near any of these materials.

This training can be taken at several locations. You can take it either online or in the classroom and how you take it depends on how you perform best to take classes. If you prefer the self-paced classroom structure in a more relaxed atmosphere, then you may be a good candidate to take the course via the web, but if you need the classroom structure to keep you motivated, they the classroom may be for you. Sometimes your employer has the classes available for you to do while on the job.

The level of HAZWOPER training you need may vary by the amount of time you are exposed to the hazardous waste on the job. Your employer will know and can guide you in that area.