Is Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard HAZWOPER) 40 Hour Training Worth It? What to Know

Do your employees' job tasks involve working with hazardous materials? Are there risks from the environment? The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) mandates that businesses create safe workplaces.

OSHA has jurisdiction in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia. They also oversee OSHA-approved state programs. To meet these standards, employers must provide appropriate OSHA safety education.

One option is OSHA 40 hour training. Are you familiar with this course? Do you wonder if your employees need this many hours of education?

Keep reading to learn more details about the HAZWOPER 40-hour training.

What's Included in HAZWOPER 40-Hour Training?

OSHA developed specific programs to enhance the protection of workers at hazardous sites. This covers the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HAZWOPER). It addresses all health and safety regulations workers must follow.

This 40-hour course covers in-depth details about how to stay safe while working at the job site. The following gives an overview of the topics covered in the 40 hours of training.

• All types of hazards
• Decontamination procedures
• Electrical hazards
• Fall risks
• Fire prevention
• Hazard communication
• Hazardous materials
• How to conduct medical surveillance
• Proper treatment, handling, and storage of containers and drums
• Proper levels of protection to use in various situations
• Toxicology
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

Depending on the specific job requirements and environment, training has specific emphases. The following are some examples.

The Fatal Four

This course also teaches participants how to handle "struck by" or "caught in" hazards. These are also called the "Fatal Four" by OSHA.

The first involves a worker getting hit by an object. The second describes an electrocution event.

The third and fourth risks concern getting caught in or between one or more objects. This causes injuries due to squeezing, pinching, crushing, or compressing.

Hazardous Substance Clean Up

OSHA 40 hour training is needed for workers involved in cleaning up hazardous substances. Their instruction must include actual field experience that meets 29 CFR 1910.120(e). The student must work with a trained and experienced supervisor.

This certification generally applies to cleaning a site after the HAZMAT leak is over. HAZMAT technicians have different training. They work close to the HAZMAT release point to stop or control the leak.

How to Achieve the OSHA 40 Hour Certification

Individuals must first complete the minimum 40 hours of coursework as described. Next, OSHA requires three days of face-to-face HAZWOPER training. This involves the student working with an experienced and trained supervisor.

Employers have the duty to provide this field training. The trainee must work directly with an experienced supervisor.

It must include the performance of skills using the proper PPE. Also, students need to demonstrate adequate knowledge of all site-specific safety risks.

Students will take quizzes at the end of each module during the training. They must score at least 70 to move forward. After completing all the coursework, participants take a final examination.

The minimum passing score for this test is 70. Individuals may retake the exam up to three times as needed.

The student receives their certification after passing the exam. At this time, they can print a certificate to document their training.

New employees or those who change job tasks must complete training within 90 days. OSHA requires HAZWOPER certified personnel to complete an 8-hour renewal course yearly.

Which Employees Should Complete the 40 Hour OSHA Training?

Anyone working with uncontrolled hazardous waste operations must have HAZWOPER 40 hour training. This includes equipment operators, laborers, supervisors, and on-site managers.

Some supervisors or workers may only need the 24-hour HAZWOPER training. This includes those who don't work on the site regularly. They must be deemed to have a low risk of exposure that would not exceed permissible limits.

These employees are also required to complete the 8-hour HAZWOPER Refresher course annually.

If workers are certified or have equivalent training, they must receive more training at new sites. This should focus on specific hazards and procedures at that location.

OSHA Training Online

Choosing online OSHA safety training benefits employers and employees. Workers can complete the training 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Note that OSHA limits training to a maximum of 7.5 hours per day.

Online training ensures that workers receive consistent, comprehensive, and current information. Employers no longer spend in-house resource time on developing and presenting training. This makes it more efficient and cost-effective to maintain OSHA standard compliance.

Benefits of Promoting OSHA Compliance

Creating a corporate culture where safety is the top priority carries many benefits. When employees feel valued, their job satisfaction and loyalty rise. This reduces turnover rates, which saves the business money and downtime.

Employee retention improves your return on investment. Reduced employee illness and injuries lower your costs for workers' compensation. You also have a lower risk for lawsuits.

Having OSHA certifications boosts employee resumes and LinkedIn profiles. This reflects well on your workers while also increasing your business reputation.

Today, individuals look for companies that take care of their workers. Being viewed as a company that prioritizes employee safety attracts more job seekers. This gives you a more robust pool of applicants to choose from.

Many businesses create safety committees to generate ongoing process improvement. Inviting employees to participate in this endeavor demonstrates that you value their knowledge. It's key to include those who have direct daily hands-on experience in the field.

OSHA certification also allows supervisors and employees to join professional groups. These networking opportunities allow potential business partners to find you. You'll carry greater business clout when they see that you meet and exceed OSHA standards.

Keeping current on all regulations gives you a seat at the table on social media and at conferences. Be proactive in reaching out to other like-minded organizations to broaden your network.

Are You Looking for The Best OSHA Training?

This article provided an overview of HAZWOPER 40-Hour Training. It described the benefits of completing this certification. Compliance Training Online® offers high-quality, user-friendly, and cost-effective online training.

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