Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training is required for many jobs, including jobs in manufacturing, waste disposal and environmental clean-up sites. The requirements for the training are set by the Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration (OSHA), which is an agency of the U.S. federal government. Different levels of training are required, depending on the employee's duties and the nature of the workplace. General employees who work at a hazardous waste site and who face some exposure to dangerous chemicals in their daily duties are required to receive 40 hours of training.

Those 40 hours of training can be done online, in line with OSHA's standards. The main stipulation from OSHA regarding online training is that participants must be able to ask questions and receive answers from their trainers. It is also important for trainees to have some physical experience with the necessary equipment.

These programs may offer the opportunity for those in remote areas and those with time and budgetary constraints to receive education and certification which would otherwise be unavailable. A variety of companies give 40-hour HAZWOPER courses online. Their educational offerings differ in terms of price, content, and scheduling. However, any course that results in certification recognized by OSHA will cover the stipulated core material.

This core material includes information on different types of hazardous chemicals, including how to identify and distinguish between them. Building on this foundation, trainees must also be informed of both preventative measures designed to prevent exposure to and release of hazardous materials as well as protocols to respond in the event of an emergency. Other specific topics include: the purpose of OSHA, how to properly use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), and methods for safe and effective elimination of various forms of dangerous materials.

Some courses include information regarding environmental impact or bloodborne pathogens. Courses also differ in terms of how long trainees have to complete all of the necessary tasks. The standard length given is 6 months. Most courses require students to take a quiz at the end of each module in order to demonstrate that they have adequately learned the material. Some courses will give students multiple chances to take each quiz. Upon the successful completion of the 40-hour course, participants will receive a certificate indicating their qualification to work safely at HAZWOPER sites. However, it is important to note that OSHA does require that employees receive three days of supervised field training before being fully certified.