Hours

40 hours

Description

The 40 hour program focuses on the training required for all personnel before they can enter a hazardous waste site, Superfund site, or RCRA site. This also applies to clean-up operations at businesses and industries which handle hazardous materials and hazardous wastes. A certificate of completion is provided to those who pass the exam on the final day. Annual refresher training is required.

Topics

• Introduction and Course Overview
• Introduction to Hazardous Waste Operations
• Regulatory Overview
• Health and Safety Program
• Recognition and Identification of Hazardous Materials
• Characteristics of Hazardous Substances
• Hazard Communication Standard
• Introduction to Toxicology
• General Safety Hazards
• Sampling: Methods and Procedures
• Chemical Protective Clothing
• Medical Considerations for Wearing Chemical Protective Clothing
• Decontamination Procedures
• Site Characterization and Analysis
• Site Control
• Medical Surveillance Program
• Container and Spill Management
• Emergency Response by Employees at Uncontrolled Hazardous Waste Sites

Other Information

Annual Refreshers are required to maintain your certification. You can take the refresher anytime during the 12 months following expiration of your 40-hour certificate, but you may not engage in WSW activities until the refresher is completed. If you fail to complete the required refresher within the grace period, you must retake the initial 40 Hour Course.

29 CFR 1910.120 and Title 8 CCR 5192
Hazardous wastes, when not handled properly, can pose a significant safety and health risk. OSHA recognized the need to improve the quality of the hazardous waste work environment and developed the HAZWOPER standard to provide employers and employees with the information and training necessary to improve workplace safety and health, thereby greatly reducing the number of injuries and illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous waste.

49 CFR and CCR Title 13
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations for hazardous wastes, including Household Hazardous Wastes (HHW) are set forth in 49 CFR. The State of California Regulations are found in Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR). Specific rules governing Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) generators are detailed in Title 22 & Title 26.