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HAZWOPER Training Levels – Know The Basics

Hazwoper Training Levels

If you are planning to take up a job that could potentially expose you to hazardous substances, then under the OSHA general industry standard 29 CFR 1910.120 and the construction industry standard 29 CFR 1926.65 you need to successfully complete the HAZWOPER training before entering such a work site.

However, it is not sufficient to simply receive HAZWOPER training. This is because there are several different types of HAZWOPER training required, each of which is tailored to the specific job tasks the workers will perform. Therefore, before you receive HAZWOPER training, you must know the basics to be to decide which level of training is appropriate for you.

However, before we dive into explaining the HAZWOPER training levels, let us first understand what HAZWOPER means.

What is HAZWOPER?

HAZWOPER, which stands for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response is a set of standards that have been created by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to provide safety and health guidelines that employers should follow to protect employees working in HAZWOPER operations in the U.S. and its territories. The regulations recommend protocols, procedures, and safeguards for workers involved in hazardous waste operations that deal with a range of hazardous materials; and emergency situations arising from the unexpected release of hazardous substances due to workplace operational failures or natural disasters and even the intentional release of hazardous materials to create havoc in society.

Through the enactment of this HAZWOPER standard, OSHA aims to at the very least minimize, or at its most effective, prevent the possibility of worker injury and illness caused due to the potential exposures to hazardous substances.

The HAZWOPER standards not only provide plenty of information on safeguarding workers but also regulates the training requirement that employers must provide their workers. Hence, it is important to understand the different levels of HAZWOPER training to ensure that the correct training is provided to workers.

HAZWOPER Training Levels

Within the HAZWOPER standard, there are broadly defined areas of training identified under three different sections of the HAZWOPER regulation. These are Section (e), Section (p), and Section (q). The HAZWOPER standard has a total of 18 HAZWOPER training courses, out of which nine training programs are the initial HAZWOPER training levels. The balance eight training programs fulfill refresher training requirements, while the 16-hour HAWOPER training is an upgrade course under Section (e).

To better understand the differences between the different levels of HAZWOPER training requirements, let us diagrammatically review the three sections of the HAZWOPER standard that regulates the specific training requirements for HAZWOPER workers doing diverse job tasks.

HAZWOPER Training Levels

With so many different types of HAZWOPER training requirements, employers and employees may have a hard time determining the appropriate level of required training. Employers and workers may also have difficulty in understanding the type of HAZWOPER training to take—initial, upgrade, or a refresher course. OSHA in Appendix E of the HAZWOPER regulation provides a detailed description of the training curriculum guidelines for each of the 18 HAZWOPER training levels Here are OSHA-provided FAQs to further clarify your understanding and need for HAZWOPER training.

Knowing the HAZWOPER Responder Levels as Defined by OSHA

Under the HAZWOPER standard (29 CFR 1910.120(q)), OSHA identifies five distinct emergency response roles, each with specific duties and necessary training. Based on their anticipated responsibilities, these levels guarantee that responders are adequately prepared to handle releases of hazardous substances. These are the five levels:

First Responder Awareness Level: People who are trained to start an emergency response by alerting the appropriate authorities in the event of a hazardous release. At this level, no hands-on response is carried out.

First Responder Operations Level: Individuals who have received defensive response training (e.g., contain the release from a safe distance, prevent its spread). Requires at least eight hours of instruction.

Hazardous Materials Technician: Responders who actively approach the release area to halt the leak are known as hazardous materials technicians. Requires proficiency in particular tasks in addition to 24 hours of training.

Specialist in Hazardous Materials: Like technicians, but more knowledgeable about dangerous materials. They serve as a point of contact for government representatives. Requires more than twenty-four hours of training.

On-Scene Incident Commander: The people who take charge of the incident scene are known as the "on-scene incident commander." They have to plan all of the activities and comprehend the entire response strategy. Requires a full day of instruction and proof of proficiency.

HAZWOPER 24-Hour vs 40-Hour vs Supervisor vs Refresher Training Comparison

Training Type	Training Duration	Target Audience	Key Topics Covered	OSHA Requirement Reference
24-Hour HAZWOPER	24 hours	Occasional site workers (no direct hazardous exposure)	Basic hazard recognition, PPE use, health & safety procedures	29 CFR 1910.120(e)(3)(ii)
40-Hour HAZWOPER	40 hours + 3 days field experience	General site workers exposed to hazardous substances	Site characterization, toxicology, decontamination, monitoring, PPE	29 CFR 1910.120(e)(3)(i)
8-Hour Supervisor	8 hours (in addition to 40-hour)	Supervisors managing hazardous waste operations	Program implementation, supervisory responsibilities, safety planning	29 CFR 1910.120(e)(4)
8-Hour Refresher	8 hours annually	All HAZWOPER-trained workers (24 or 40-hour)	Updated regulations, real-case scenarios, skill refresh	29 CFR 1910.120(e)(8)

Knowing the HAZWOPER Responder Levels as Defined by OSHA

HAZWOPER 24-Hour vs 40-Hour vs Supervisor vs Refresher Training Comparison

Training Type	Training Duration	Target Audience	Key Topics Covered	OSHA Requirement Reference
24-Hour HAZWOPER	24 hours	Occasional site workers (no direct hazardous exposure)	Basic hazard recognition, PPE use, health & safety procedures	29 CFR 1910.120(e)(3)(ii)
40-Hour HAZWOPER	40 hours + 3 days field experience	General site workers exposed to hazardous substances	Site characterization, toxicology, decontamination, monitoring, PPE	29 CFR 1910.120(e)(3)(i)
8-Hour Supervisor	8 hours (in addition to 40-hour)	Supervisors managing hazardous waste operations	Program implementation, supervisory responsibilities, safety planning	29 CFR 1910.120(e)(4)
8-Hour Refresher	8 hours annually	All HAZWOPER-trained workers (24 or 40-hour)	Updated regulations, real-case scenarios, skill refresh	29 CFR 1910.120(e)(8)

Enroll for a HAZWOPER Online Training Course Today!

We provide a total of seven HAZWOPER training courses under section (e) and section (p).

These training courses are presented using the innovative HAZWOPER media player (OSHA accepted) ensuring students stay engaged, are challenged, and obtain adequate knowledge. Even more impressive, are the myriad training formats used – from examples for easy understanding, case studies to showcase the importance of undergoing regular HAZWOPER training, and visual media to impress on important aspects of the HAZWOPER training.