Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, or HAZWOPER, was designed by OSHA to protect workers at hazardous sites. OSHA HAZWOPER training is required for any employees whose activities expose them to hazardous substances. Workers involved in operations such as emergency response dealing with hazardous waste, hazardous substance removal, or working at a waste site with hazardous contamination are all required to complete HAZWOPER training.

Employers and employees covered by OSHA's HAZWOPER standard must meet the initial training requirement, which consists of a HAZWOPER 24-hour or HAZWOPER 40-hour course. The HAZWOPER 8-hour training requirement satisfies the annual training requirement for emergency response and hazardous waste workers. HAZWOPER training online is a convenient way to satisfy training requirements and complete courses at your own pace.

HAZWOPER certification topics include hazard recognition, risk evaluation, exposure limits, protective equipment, and general safety concerns. HAZWOPER standards are identical for the construction and general industry and are found in 29 CFR 1910 (HAZWOPER). With proper training and education, HAZWOPER regulations ensure workers' health and safety at hazardous sites.

Employees should not perform hazardous waste operations until they have completed HAZWOPER training, online or in person, to the level required by their job function. Online certification is available for all three levels of HAZWOPER training. The HAZWOPER 40-hour course has an additional field experience requirement that must be completed in person in addition to the 40 hours of online training.