The Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) team plays an extremely vital role in public environmental safety. Cleaning up hazardous substances at waste sites, taking care of emergency situations where hazardous materials have been released and taking all necessary measures in preventing the release of toxic substances are some of the duties HAZWOPER workers must perform. Another important task is to make sure businesses meet the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) codes at federal, state and local levels.

In order to become certified to work in the hazardous waste field, proper training that is compliant to OSHA standards is required. Certification is given by taking a 40-hour or a 24-hour course. Eight-hour courses are also an option if one of the other two courses has already been completed. These courses can be taken either locally or online through a school accredited with OSHA.

The 40-hour HAZWOPER training course is required for workers who will be in direct contact with toxic substances through clean-up jobs in waste sites and emergency situations and in treatment and storage of hazardous waste. Information taught in this course consists of, but not limited to, understanding the importance of OSHA and how to meet their guidelines, identifying hazardous materials and recording them correctly on material safety data sheets, steps to take to prevent exposure to such substances and procedures to take to treat anyone who has been exposed to hazardous materials. Three days of on-the-job experience by a trained supervisor is required before certification is given.

The HAZWOPER 24-hour training course helps workers recognize potential hazards in the workplace and how to eliminate them before something happens. Information taught in this course consists of, but not limited to, identifying certain materials, mixtures and compounds that can become flammable, explosive or chemical hazards, learning the importance of personal protective equipment in order to limit exposure and establishing control over work areas to limit the risk of exposure to only the workers in the work zone. One day of on-the-job experience with a trained supervisor is required before certification is given.

The eight-hour HAZWOPER training course is given as an annual refresher course for hazardous waste workers who have direct contact with waste and toxic substances. Information taught in this course consists of, but not limited to, identifying hazardous chemicals, developing safety and health plans, air monitoring, medical surveillance and proper decontamination measures.

HAZWOPER workers are vital to public safety. Receiving certification in this field can lead to a rewarding and heroic career.