HAZWOPER Training Levels – Know The Basics

What Is HAZWOPER?

HAZWOPER stands for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, a
comprehensive OSHA framework designed to protect workers who may encounter hazardous substances during their
job activities. The standard establishes requirements for:

• Hazard recognition and risk assessment
• Safe work procedures and site control
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) and respiratory protection
• Decontamination processes
• Emergency preparedness and response
• Medical surveillance and exposure monitoring
• Worker training, competency, and refresher requirements

The primary purpose of HAZWOPER is to prevent or reduce injuries, illnesses, and long-term health effects
caused by exposure to chemical, biological, radiological, and physical hazards.

The Three Sections of HAZWOPER Training

OSHA divides HAZWOPER into three main operational categories. Each section covers different work environments
and defines specific training expectations:

• Section (e): Hazardous waste site cleanup operations
• Section (p): RCRA treatment, storage, and disposal facility (TSDF) operations
• Section (q): Emergency response operations to hazardous substance releases

Understanding which section applies to your work is the first step in determining the appropriate level of
HAZWOPER training.

Section (e): Hazardous Waste Site Cleanup Operations

Section (e) applies to employees involved in cleanup, remediation, and corrective actions at
hazardous waste sites. These locations may include contaminated soils and groundwater, abandoned waste dumps,
industrial spill areas, and other sites undergoing environmental restoration under federal, state, or local
programs.

Who Section (e) Covers

Typical Section (e) personnel include:

• General site workers with actual or potential exposure to hazardous substances
• Environmental technicians and field crews
• Heavy equipment operators working in contaminated zones
• Sampling teams and site inspectors
• Laborers performing excavation, removal, or remediation tasks
• Contractors and subcontractors working on hazardous waste sites
• Supervisors managing cleanup and site operations

Purpose of Section (e) Training

Section (e) training is designed to provide workers with the knowledge and skills needed to perform hazardous
waste cleanup safely. At a minimum, properly trained workers should be able to:

• Recognize and evaluate chemical, physical, and biological hazards present on the site
• Understand and follow the site-specific Health and Safety Plan (HASP)
• Use PPE and respiratory protection correctly and consistently
• Safely enter, work in, and exit contaminated areas
• Apply appropriate decontamination procedures for personnel and equipment
• Understand air monitoring, site characterization, and exposure control methods
• Recognize when changing conditions create an immediate danger and require work stoppage or escalation

Core Training Requirements Under Section (e)

OSHA specifies several training types for Section (e) workers, including:

• 40-Hour HAZWOPER Training: For general site workers with real or potential exposure to
  hazardous substances.
• 24-Hour HAZWOPER Training: For occasional or limited-contact workers who visit hazardous
  sites but are not exposed to the same degree as full-time site workers.
• 8-Hour HAZWOPER Supervisor Training: For personnel responsible for managing or supervising
  hazardous waste operations.
• Annual 8-Hour HAZWOPER Refresher: Required for all Section (e) workers who wish to
  maintain HAZWOPER certification.

Section (p): RCRA Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility (TSDF) Operations

Section (p) applies to employees working at RCRA-regulated treatment, storage, and disposal
facilities where hazardous waste is handled as part of ongoing operations. These facilities operate
under strict permits and regulatory oversight, and workers must understand both OSHA safety rules and RCRA
compliance obligations.

Who Section (p) Covers

Section (p) typically covers:

• Hazardous waste handlers at TSDFs
• Tank, container, and drum operators
• Workers involved in staging, labeling, or transferring hazardous waste
• Technicians conducting inspections, sampling, and monitoring
• Operators of treatment and processing equipment
• Supervisors overseeing hazardous waste storage and treatment operations

Purpose of Section (p) Training

Training under Section (p) ensures that workers can safely manage hazardous waste within a controlled
industrial environment. Key objectives include the ability to:

• Understand facility-specific hazards and hazardous waste classifications
• Follow proper storage, handling, and transfer procedures
• Prevent spills, releases, and cross-contamination
• Operate containment, ventilation, and monitoring systems safely
• Use PPE and engineering controls to minimize exposure
• Recognize when abnormal conditions require emergency response or escalation

Core Training Requirements Under Section (p)

OSHA identifies two primary training components for Section (p) workers:

• 24-Hour Initial TSDF Worker Training for employees handling or exposed to hazardous waste.
• 8-Hour Annual TSDF Refresher Training to maintain knowledge, competency, and compliance.

Section (q): Emergency Response Operations

Section (q) covers employees who respond to releases or substantial threats of release of hazardous
substances, whether at industrial facilities, transportation incidents, storage yards, or public
locations. These workers must operate within clearly defined emergency response roles and possess training
that matches their responsibilities.

The Five Emergency Responder Levels

OSHA identifies five distinct emergency responder levels under Section (q):

1. First Responder Awareness Level

• Recognizes the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance release.
• Initiates the emergency response system by notifying appropriate authorities.
• Does not attempt to stop or control the release.

2. First Responder Operations Level

• Performs defensive actions to contain the release from a safe distance.
• Prevents the spread of hazardous materials without entering the immediate danger area.
• Requires a minimum of 8 hours of HAZWOPER training.

3. Hazardous Materials Technician

• Performs offensive actions at or near the point of release.
• Stops, controls, or mitigates the leak or spill.
• Requires 24 or more hours of advanced HAZWOPER training and demonstrated competency.

4. Hazardous Materials Specialist

• Provides advanced technical expertise on specific hazardous substances.
• Advises the hazardous materials team and incident command.
• Often interacts directly with regulatory and government agencies.
• Training goes beyond the Hazardous Materials Technician level.

5. On-Scene Incident Commander

• Directs and manages the entire emergency response operation.
• Determines strategy, tactical operations, and resource deployment.
• Ensures responder safety and regulatory compliance during the incident.
• Must demonstrate advanced knowledge of incident command and HAZWOPER requirements.

Enroll for your preferred training today!

The table below summarizes the main HAZWOPER training categories under Sections (e), (p), and (q), along with the associated course titles.