The US Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that workers who are performing general cleanup of hazardous materials at waste sites receive initial 40-hour training in Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) standards and techniques. HAZWOPER was established by OSHA and related agencies to protect workers as well as the environment from the harmful effects of hazardous chemical waste and other toxic waste as it is being removed from clean-up sites.

Waste site workers who are charged with performing general waste site clean-up tasks must undergo an initial 40-hour HAZWOPER training course as well as three days of supervised hands on training in order to be able to work at hazardous waste sites. In addition, eight hours of refresher training is required annually for workers who continue to work at such sites.

The 40-hour HAZWOPER training program is designed to instruct hazardous materials handling personnel in the correct safety techniques which must be adhered to when working with or even when in the presence of improperly stored and dangerous chemical and biological waste. It explains the different types of clothing and protective gear that must be worn when handling different classifications of waste in particular circumstances, as well as how to determine the actual conditions at a site or storage facility. The focus of the course includes dealing with extremely dangerous situations which require immediate measures to be taken to contain the danger before any clean-up is begun.

In order for a 40-hour HAZWOPER course to fulfill OSHA regulations, it must include hands-on training with the actual equipment that the worker will be using to protect himself as well as to fulfill his duties. Online and public courses which are not augmented by hands-on training carried out at the specific site along with the employer are not sufficient according to OSHA standards. Therefore, an employer must make sure that any general HAZWOPER training course is followed up with on-site training. Some online courses include simulated training with specific equipment, and these courses are practical preparation for a safe and efficient work experience. However, even these courses must be followed up with additional on-site training before an employee can be certified as having passed initial hazardous materials training.

The OSHA rules for HAZWOPER training are designed to teach employees how to protect themselves and the environment against literally deadly hazards. A 40-hour HAZWOPER course must be fully and completely conducted according to these standards in order for employees to be able to work on clean-up sites.