If you work for an organization that may experience an unexpected release of hazardous substances, chances are you will need to complete HAZWOPER training.
Hazardous materials come in the form of explosives, flammable substances, poisons, and radioactive materials.
An emergency involving the exposure of these hazardous substances can occur at any time. For example, during the production, storage, transportation, use, or even disposal of lethal materials.
This is why understanding how to handle unsafe substances, deal with emergency situations, and perform legally compliant cleanup procedures is crucial to maintaining the safety of yourself, your co-workers, and even the community at large.
If you are new to the concept of HAZWOPER training, read on to find out some of the most commonly asked questions so that when your employer informs you that you too need to take HAZWOPER training, you will know exactly what that entails.
1. What is HAZWOPER Training?
HAZWOPER is a set of standards issued by OSHA as a way to protect workers and equip them with the proper procedures for handling hazardous substances safely and effectively.
That said, HAZWOPER training teaches the following safety skills:
- How to clean up hazardous waste
- How to work for an organization that is involved in the treatment, storage, or disposal of hazardous materials.
- How to conduct proper emergency response operations in the case of a hazardous release
In short, HAZWOPER training teaches employees how to stay safe in the workplace when there is a hazardous substance leak or spill.
2. What Type of Situation Requires HAZWOPER Training?
HAZWOPER training comes in handy whenever there is an emergency involving a dangerous material.
Here are some of the best examples:
- A hazardous substance leaking from a storage tank or container
- Mechanical breakdown of dangerous chemicals
- Chemical fires
- An overturned vehicle carrying hazardous materials
- Excavation of buried hazardous waste
- Site preparation that leads to unexpected releases
Though these are just some of the scenarios that may involve a hazardous waste emergency, they give you a good idea what kind of work employees with HAZWOPER training deal with daily.
3. What Are the Operations Covered by HAZWOPER Standards?
HAZWOPER standards were designed to cover the following five operations:
- Cleanup operations required by a governmental body (federal, state, or local)
- Corrective actions needed at sites covered by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
- Operations involving hazardous waste at treatment, storage, and disposal (TSD) facilities regulated under the RCRA
- Non-TSD facilities generating hazardous waste
- Emergency response operations involving releases
Your role within an organization, and the type of HAZWOPER training you have completed, will determine which type of actions you are responsible for when an emergency occurs.
4. Which Online Course is Recommended by OSHA?
OSHA does not approve, certify, or endorse HAZWOPER training programs, even those offered online. That’s why researching a reliable course that’s affordable, convenient, trusted, and has adequate support is important before signing up.
For instance, 360training.com offers 24/7 access to online training courses, round-the-clock customer support, a variety of courses to choose from, and the convenience of learning online.
In the end, there is no reason why you can’t understand HAZWOPER training, and get certified right now so you and those around you stay safe while on the job.
