Hazardous Waste Operations

The Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard 1910.120 (HAZWOPER) requires the following training for five levels of individuals:

(1) First responders at the "awareness level" (individuals likely to witness or discover a hazardous waste release and initiate the emergency response) must demonstrate competency in such areas as recognizing the presence of hazardous waste materials in an emergency, the risks involved, and the role they should perform.

(2) First responders at the "operations level" (individuals who respond for the purpose of protecting property, persons, or the nearby environment without actually trying to stop the hazardous waste release) must have eight hours of Hazwoper training plus "awareness level" competency or demonstrate competence in their role.

(3) Hazardous waste material technicians (individuals who respond to stop the hazardous waste release) must have 24 hours of training equal to the "operations level" and demonstrate competence in several specific Hazwoper areas.

(4) Hazardous waste materials specialists (those who support the technicians but require a more specific knowledge of the hazardous waste substances to be contained) must have 24 hours of Hazwoper training equal to the technical level and demonstrate competence in certain areas.

(5) On-scene incident commanders (who assume control of the incident scene beyond the "awareness level") must have 24 hours of Hazwoper training equal to the "operations level" and demonstrate competence in specific areas.

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