Introduction to HAZWOPER Safety

The U. S. Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) standard pertains to "any employees who are exposed or potentially exposed to hazardous substances - including hazardous waste."

Does HAZWOPER training help employees avoid such injuries?

Absolutely. According to the National Safety Council, worker injury occurs on the job every seven seconds in the United States. The most injury-prone industries are as follows:

1. Service (firefighters, police officers)
2. Transportation/shipping
3. Manufacturing/production
4. Installation, maintenance, and repair
5. Construction

In these five industries, it is highly likely that employees are in contact with hazardous materials and, therefore, in danger of risks related to chemical exposure and in need of HAZWOPER training. For example, firefighters often come into contact with flammable hazardous materials. Shipping and transportation companies transport hazardous materials by land, air, and sea. Manufacturing and production companies often work with chemicals and substances deemed hazardous by the U.S. government. Workers who perform installation, maintenance, and repair jobs are often working in environments where chemicals are present; the same applies to construction personnel.

In these sectors and many others, HAZWOPER training provides the knowledge needed to ensure the safety of employees and those around them.

To learn more about HAZWOPER visit our HAZWOPER 40 Hour Online Training web page.