24-Hour vs 40-Hour HAZWOPER Training: What You Need to Know

Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, or HAZWOPER, are guidelines set forth by OSHA for employers whose workers are either exposed or have the potential to be exposed to hazardous materials. Compliance regulations state that you should receive HAZWOPER training if you're involved in the treatment, storage, emergency response operations, cleanup, or disposal of hazardous substances.

Why Receive HAZWOPER Training?

If you are working with hazardous materials, you are legally required to receive training to stay compliant. Your employer or state laws may mandate the completion of this type of training as well. Training is essential since accidents and injuries involving hazardous materials have the potential to be severe, even fatal. Employees involved in cleanup operations on hazardous sites must be trained properly to ensure both safety and compliance.

What is involved in the 24-Hour and 40-Hour HAZWOPER Training?

Both the 24-hour and 40-hour training programs will instruct you on various aspects of hazardous waste operations:

• 24-Hour HAZWOPER Training - You must complete 24 hours of training and then engage in one day of field experience that is supervised. After the class, you should be able to accomplish tasks such as identifying hazardous materials, identifying principles of toxicology, describing the medical concerns regarding confined spaces, and describing considerations in various emergency situations.
• 40-Hour HAZWOPER Training - You will need to complete 40 hours of training and then receive three days of field experience with supervision. After the training, a few of the tasks that you will be able to complete include identifying various types of radiation and basic radiation hazards, identifying a variety of respiratory equipment, understanding decontamination principles and different levels of decontamination, and understanding and identifying methods of air monitoring.

What are the Differences Between 24-Hour and 40-Hour Training?

The 24-hour HAZWOPER course is primarily for individuals who will occasionally come in contact with hazardous materials and not be involved in the cleanup operations. This type of training covers broad issues regarding cleanup and identification of hazardous materials. The 40-hour training is for employees who will be working with and cleaning up hazardous materials on a regular basis. This also includes employees who are involved with the storage and treatment of hazardous substances. The additional 16 hours provided in the 40-hour training is geared toward working with hazardous materials. In addition to the 24-hour and 40-hour training, there is an 8-hour course to be taken annually after one of the previous courses has been taken. According to the United States Department of Labor, the 8-hour refresher course may be taken in segments as long as all 8 hours are completed in a timely manner within 12 months from the initial training.

Getting Prepared

Considering that a single mistake regarding hazardous substances can have disastrous results, it's imperative to receive the best training possible. You need a comprehensive online training program that meets all expected standards. 360training.com offers a wide variety of training solutions to meet the requirements of OSHA, MSHA, and other safety agencies.

360training is not offering $35 off all environmental health & safety orders totaling $500 or more. Use promo code EHS35NOW. Contact 360training.com for more information regarding 24-hour and 40-hour HAZWOPER training.