Comparing RCRA and HAZWOPER Regulations

The RCRA regulations and the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HAZWOPER) regulations developed by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) both focus on hazardous waste and emergency preparedness for hazardous waste incidents. However, the targets of RCRA regulations and of the HAZWOPER regulations are different.

As we have seen, the intent of RCRA is to protect human health and the environment from the dangers of hazardous waste. In contrast, the intent of the HAZWOPER is to protect the people who are exposed to hazardous materials, including hazardous waste, or who respond to hazardous materials emergencies. HAZWOPER regulations specifically apply to employees and employers when they are involved in certain treatment, storage, disposal, cleanup, or emergency response operations related to hazardous waste.

When there is overlap or conflict between the RCRA and HAZWOPER regulations, the provision that provides greater protection for the safety and health of the employee is applied.

To learn more about RCRA safety standards visit our RCRA Refresher Online Training web page.