The United States Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) is responsible for conducting operations related to cleaning up and treatment of harmful waste. The scope of their operations covers 5 areas. These include responding to the requirements of a government body in cleaning up hazardous waste substances found at hazardous waste sites, conducting corrective actions in clean-up operations, voluntarily cleaning up waste sites that have been recognized to contain hazardous wastes, conducting operations like handling, storage and removal of hazardous wastes and conducting emergency response operations in cases of a release or threats of hazardous substances.

The HAZWOPER follows a set of standards created by US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in its operations. The OSHA standard also specifies the requirements and regulations concerning safety that every employer must comply when conducting the said operations. Because of the nature of their work, HAZWOPER employees need to undergo educational programs. HAZWOPER training is one factor that makes HAZWOPER unique. Labor unions, community colleges, employers and training firms may provide HAZWOPER training that is OSHA compliant.

OSHA recognizes a number of levels in HAZWOPER education. Each level is based on the task that an employee has to perform and the corresponding level of hazard involved. There is a different program with specialized topics and education periods applied for each level. The levels are stated below.

1. For general site employees, a requirement of 40 hours of instruction, 3 days of supervised practical education and 8 hours of refresher courses every year is set.

2. Workers assigned with limited tasks or on sites that have hazards that fall within acceptable levels have requirements such as 24-hour initial training, 1-day supervised practical education and 8 hours of refresher classes every year.

3. Workers in managerial and supervisory positions have similar levels of training with their subordinates and 8 more training hours.

4. Workers responsible for treatment, storage and disposal operations and facilities must comply with a 24-hour initial training and 8 hours of refresher every year.

5. First Responder Awareness level should comply with sufficient education.

6. The First Responder Operations level need awareness-level courses and additional 8 hours of classes.

7. Hazardous materials technicians have requirements of 24 hours of training and additional education to develop competency in other fields.

8. Hazardous materials specialist should undergo the 24-hour technician level coursework and additional education to develop competency in other fields.

9. The on-scene incident commander has to undergo 24-hour classes and additional education to develop competency in other fields.