What is HazWOPER?

By: Etc.com

HazWOPER is an acronym for “Hazardous Waste Operation Emergency Response” and this is a form of training mandated by the U.S. Federal Government people who work on projects where uncontrolled hazardous materials are present. The training focuses on the nature of hazardous substances and the risk associated with it. Other related topics discussed in this kind of training are the recognition of hazardous materials, response and implementation, knowledge of personal protective equipment, containment and control procedures, and materials and decontamination procedures. The kind of training one has to go into depends largely on the kind of hazardous materials the trainee is going to be in contact with. For instance, there is a big difference in the training of workers handling gaseous chemicals from those who will be in contact with nuclear waste materials.  Hazmat Training or Hazardous materials training outlines the minimum training requirements for people who work with hazardous materials have business on specific hazardous waste sites.

                Personnel who are given general duties in sites where hazardous substances are present are required by the government to attend 40 hours of classroom and practical training. They are also required to go on field training for at least three days and the full course can only be taken once. Failing the hazmat training can never be an option. Once the trainee passes the hazmat course he will still be required to take an eight hour refresher course annually.

                Employees whose duties are restricted to visiting the hazardous area only when needed are also required to take the training. However the time and coverage of the training is less than that of the workers whose presence in the area is required almost daily. For restricted visitors, their training requires 24 hours of classroom and practical instructions including one day of field instruction and an 8 hour annual refresher course. More comprehensive hazmat training is the first responder course. This is for personnel who will be responding to emergencies within a hazardous area.

                Companies involve in handling hazardous materials can ask the help of government agencies for their training. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is one federal agency who assists private companies for this particular training. Onsite OSHA safety training is one form of assistance that the agency can give. However, the company in need can also opt to hire a private consultant firm like the E.T.C. Compliance Solutions (who is also a service provider of OSHA) to train the company personnel on how to handle hazardous materials.

For more information go to http://e-t-c.com/training/