HAZWOPER – An Understanding of What It Is [Video Training Kit]

If you want to train your employees on HAZWOPER then this video training kit is a good place to start. This “Understanding HAZWOPER” training video will teach your staff the history of HAZWOPER, definitions of hazardous waste and chemicals, the HAZWOPER training requirements, the Site Control Program, the ins and outs of medical surveillance, and much more.

This Basic Understanding of HAZWOPER Training Covers the Following Important Topics:

• What is the history of HAZWOPER? (In 1976, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency created the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act or RCRA, which regulates the handling of hazardous waste from “cradle to grave.” In 1980, the EPA issued the CERCLA or Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act which was a superfund aimed at cleaning up abandoned hazardous waste not covered by RCRA.  Finally, in 1986, EPA charged OSHA with protecting Hazardous Materials workers. OSHA issued the Interim rule for “Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response” or HAZWOPER.  The rule became final in 1990
• What type of workers do HAZWOPER regulations cover?  (Those employees involved with hazardous waste treatment, emergency response staff that deal with hazardous materials, and hazardous waste and cleanup employees)
• What are some examples of chemicals that fall into the “hazardous chemical” definition by OSHA? (Organic peroxides, compressed gases, combustibles, explosives, flammables, reactive chemicals, and more)
• What are some examples of chemicals that are defined as “health hazards” by OSHA? (Corrosives, carcinogens, toxic agents, sensitizers, and irritants)
• How does the Environmental Protection Agency define “Hazardous Waste?”  (any discarded material that is reactive, toxic, ignitable, or corrosive)
• Where can people find out if a chemical or substance is hazardous? (the best place is on the Safety Data Sheet or container label, which would outline the chemical’s safety precautions and other information)
• What are “IDLH conditions” as defined under HAZWOPER? (conditions that are “immediately dangerous to life and health)
• What does a HAZWOPER Site Safety and Health Plan specify?  (It states that hazards should be identified, evaluated, and controlled)

Other Topics Covered in this HAZWOPER Overview Training:

• What other information is included in a written Site Safety and Health Plan? (It must also include the organizational structure of the company, the safety and health training program implemented by the company, the medical surveillance program, and the standard operating procedures)
• What are the training requirements under HAZWOPER for employees who are involved with the removal of hazardous substances? (They must undergo a minimum of 40 hours of classroom instruction, also known as the “HAZWOPER 40-hour” training –  they also require 3 days of field training as well.)
• What about employees who only occasionally perform tasks such as taking air samples or surveying and that are unlikely to be exposed to hazmat above certain exposure limits? (They are only required to take 24 hours of classroom instruction followed by one day of field experience)
• What are the different roles in a HAZWOPER program and what are the training requirements for each level? (First Responder Awareness Level, First Responder Operations Level, Hazardous Materials Technicians, Hazardous Materials Specialists, and Incident Commander)
• Employees will also be required to take an 8-hour HAZWOPER refresher training annually
• What are the different levels of Personal Protective Equipment or PPE? (Level A, Level B, Level C, and Level D)
• What are HAZWOPER engineering controls? (These are devices designed to reduce or prevent exposure to hazards)
• The training also covers the concepts of site control program, monitoring, how to conduct a preliminary evaluation, hazardous materials containers,  personal protective equipment, emergency response plans, medical surveillance programs, site characterization, confined space, and more

If you are looking for a HAZWOPER overview training video, then this will be a great start for your training program.  Packed with information on the beginnings of HAZWOPER and takes you through the various roles and responsibilities of a HAZWOPER program.  This training is available in either English or Spanish and on DVD or USB Stick.  The runtime is 26 minutes.

HAZWOPER Overview Training Video – Full Length Preview: