8-Hr HAZWOPER Refresher Training Options

8-Hr HAZWOPER Refresher Training Options

Employees that are Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) certified must take annual 8-hr HAZWOPER refresher training. There are several different ways to do this within Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards and still be in compliance.

Online Training

One option is to take our online training course, then receive on-site field training at your actual location with the related equipment. Our online recertification can be taken as time allows, as long as the employee completes the required online training before the 12-month recertification deadline. If you get started and have to stop the training simulation, you can come back at a later time to finish it. Fortunately for the employee, it does not have to be done at the same computer station. This is helpful for companies that have dedicated training rooms or conference rooms that are used by multiple groups and are not always available.

Certified Trainers

Another option is to have a certified individual at your location handle the training and hands-on requirements in-house at your facility. This is difficult for some smaller companies to do when you don’t have the personnel on staff, but we have the staff and can provide training for you.

Refresher Requirements

A concern that crops up from time to time is that someone’s certification has lapsed. There are several states that require refresher courses by the one-year anniversary date without exception. Otherwise, when the employee has not completed the required 8-hr HAZWOPER refresher training, the individual must be evaluated to determine if they need to repeat the initial HAZWOPER training course or not. In some cases, they have been out of the industry for quite some time. In other cases, it is only a matter of a few days or weeks, and the 8-hr course is sufficient. The determining factors are whether or not they are familiar with the health and safety requirements for their particular location and the significance of any changes since their last training session. If it is determined that they do not need to repeat, they need to sign up for and complete the refresher as soon as possible. A letter can be placed in the person's file stating why their certification lapsed and when the course will be completed.