WHAT:
HAZWOPER is the acronym for HAZardous Waste OPerations and Emergency Response. It refers to the standard developed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for the emergency response operations related to releases of, or substantial threats of releases of, hazardous substances.The final HAZWOPER standard, 29 CFR 1910.120, was published in the Federal Register on March 6, 1989 and became effective March 6, 1990. The HAZWOPER standard was incorporated into the Construction standards as 29 CFR 1926.65 on June 30, 1993. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also promulgated the OSHA standard in 40 CFR Part 311 (Federal Register June 23, 1989) for coverage of public employees that are both compensated and non-compensated in States where Federal OSHA has enforcement authority.
WHY:
In the event of a hazardous waste accident, where there is possibility of contamination, those who handle the hazardous waste must be able to react and control the situation to prevent a more serious situation. In the event of clean-up of the waste, waste handlers must be OSHA HAZWOPER certified.
WHO:
OSHA has determined that employees must be trained if they work in proximity to hazardous chemicals that have the potential for the release, or substantial threats of the release, of hazardous substances, without regard to the location of the hazard.An OSHA-certified 40-hour class focusing on HAZWOPER training is required for those who are exposed to hazardous waste. An OSHA-certified 24-hour course is required for those who have occasional exposure to hazardous waste. An annual 8-hour refresher course is required by OSHA for all individuals with HAZWOPER certification. Also, an 8-hour course is required for supervisors and management officials that oversee hazardous waste projects.
The amount of training required is contingent upon the employees' responsibilities regarding their involvement with the hazardous materials. These responsibilities must be clearly established by the employer and communicated to employees, sometimes in writing.
WHERE:
To receive HAZWOPER certification by OSHA, an individual must complete either a 40-hour, or a 24-hour course by an OSHA certified training company, or association. The training is offered by various universities and community colleges, as well as private companies. There are also training courses offered on-line on the world wide web, and through software packages that may be purchased by licensed companies.Organizations that offer HAZWOPER training in Hawaii include:
Brewer Environmental Services (BES)