May 3, 2024 HAZWOPER 8 Hour Refresher Training

ERG Environmental Services is pleased to offer training.

ERG is now in open-enrollment for a HAZWOPER 8-hour refresher training course. This course will provide our clients with affordable training that (1) meets/exceeds regulatory requirements, (2) focuses specifically on issues of interest in industrial operations, and (3) provides an enjoyable, informative experience. Our trainers are experts in their fields; have extensive experience working with industrial companies, and work hard to make their courses interesting.

We are offering the following class that is required of virtually all hazardous waste generators and many other companies as well.

This course meets the requirements outlined in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120 for 8 (eight)hours of annual refresher training for workers at hazardous waste sites. This course is designed for general site workers who remove hazardous waste or who are exposed or potentially exposed to hazardous substances or health hazards. The course may include topics such as topics pertaining to workplace hazards associated with Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER). Topics include HAZWOPER regulations, site characterization, toxicology, hazard recognition, personal protective equipment, decontamination, medical surveillance, confined space entry and emergency procedures. Upon successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of completion.

Enrollment is open to those who have already completed the 40-hour or 24-hour HAZWOPER training.

HAZWOPER is an acronym which stands for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. HAZWOPER training is covered under OSHA standard 29 CFR Part 1910.120.

According to OSHA, the HAZWOPER standard applies to five groups of employers and their employees and specifically includes any employees who are exposed to hazardous substances and who are engaged in several operations including clean-up, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous waste. In addition, workers involved in an emergency response operation dealing with hazardous waste and workers who have to perform duties at a waste site where hazardous contamination are equally expected to be fully trained and protected.

For further clarification, an interpretation letter provided by OSHA gives some guidance as to what constitutes a hazardous substance or situation:

• High concentrations of toxic substances.
• Situation that is life or injury threatening.
• Imminent Danger to Life and Health (IDLH) environments.
• Situation that presents an oxygen deficient atmosphere.
• Condition that poses a fire or explosion hazard.
• Situation that required an evacuation of the area.
• A situation that requires immediate attention because of the danger posed to employees in the area.

Employees and employers covered by the OSHA HAZWOPER standard are required to take the initial HAZWOPER training which consists of a 24 or 40-hour course. Depending on your job type and experience, you may be able to take the 24-hour course to meet your HAZWOPER training requirement.

Every year after the initial training requirement has been met, workers are required to take an 8-hour HAZWOPER refresher course. This refresher course is designed to meet the annual training requirement for hazardous waste operations and emergency response workers.

If several people/groups at your facility need training, ERG recommends on-site training that can be tailored to address specific operations, plans, and procedures at your facility.

ERG is ready and able to help you establish, improve and/or maintain a safe workplace and a successful regulatory compliance program. If you are interested in other ERG EH&S services, including (but not limited to) on-site training courses, integrated contingency planning, permitting and environmental/safety/hazardous waste compliance audits, please contact us.