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Complete HAZWOPER Training Guide: OSHA Requirements, Certification Levels, and State Regulations for Hazardous Waste Workers (29 CFR 1910.120)
Before you can safely enter or begin work in an uncontrolled hazardous waste operation, OSHA requires proper HAZWOPER training (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response) to ensure workers understand how to handle toxic chemicals, hazardous substances, and emergency spill situations safely.
HAZWOPER training is not one-size-fits-all. Under OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.120, workers must complete different levels of training based on job responsibilities, exposure risk, and site duties. This ensures compliance with federal OSHA regulations and EPA-aligned safety protocols.
Additionally, several OSHA State Plan States operate their own approved safety programs, which often meet or exceed federal HAZWOPER requirements, enforcing stricter workplace safety standards for hazardous waste operations.
Please view the 27 OSHA Plan States for more information on state-level OSHA-approved programs that may have enhanced or additional safety requirements compared to federal standards.
HAZWOPER Training Sequence
There are three levels of HAZWOPER training as listed by Federal OSHA and State-level training requirements. Within these three levels, various job functions have specific training requirements.
Level 1: Site Clean-Up Operations – HAZWOPER (e) Series
General Site Workers
40-Hr Initial
- Initial Training: 40-hours Register Now + 3 days of supervised field experience provided by the employer.
- Annual Refresher: 8-hours Register Now.
- Citation:
(e)(3)(i) - Infographic: General Site Personnel Infographic ↗
Occasional Site Workers
24-Hr Initial
- Initial Training: 24-hours Register Now with one day of field experience.
- Annual Refresher: 8-hours Register Now.
Management/Supervisor Training
40/24-Hr + 8-Hr Sup
- Initial Training: (40-hours Register Now OR 24-hours Register Now) + 3 days of supervised field experience provided by the employer + 8 hours of supervisor training Register Now.
- Annual Refresher: 8-hours Register Now.
Level 2: Treatment, Storage & Disposal (TSD) Facilities – HAZWOPER (p) Series
TSD Site Workers
24-Hr Initial
- Initial Training: 24-hours Register Now.
- Annual Refresher: 8-hours Register Now.
- Citation:
(p)(7)(i) - Infographic: Treatment, Storage & Disposal Infographic ↗
Level 3: Emergency Responders – HAZWOPER (q) Series
First Responder Awareness
Competency
- Initial Training: No hourly requirement; Competency-based;
- Annual Refresher: No hourly requirement; Competency-based; Coming Soon
- Citation:
(q)(6)(i) & (q)(8) - Infographic: Emergency Response Sequence Infographic ↗
First Responder Operations
8-Hr Initial
- Initial Training: 8-Hours.
- Annual Refresher: No hourly requirement; Competency-based; Coming Soon
- Citation:
(q)(6)(ii) & (q)(8)
Hazardous Materials Technician
24-Hr Initial
- Initial Training: 24-hours.
- Annual Refresher: No hourly requirement; Competency-based; Coming Soon
- Citation:
(q)(6)(iii) & (q)(8)
Hazardous Materials Specialist
Technician Level
- Initial Training: Technician Level Competencies.
- Annual Refresher: No hourly requirement; Competency-based; Coming Soon
- Citation:
(q)(6)(iv) & (q)(8)
Incident Commander
24-Hr + Ops
- Initial Training: 24 hours equal to first responder operations Competencies.
- Annual Refresher: No hourly requirement; Competency-based; Coming Soon
- Citation:
(q)(6)(v) & (q)(8)
