Unique Regulation

Unique HAZWOPER Regulation

There are many reasons why OSHA HAZWOPER regulation is unique. Our certification contains minimum time requirements for courses and is sometimes competency based. Also, training may be administered at the federal or state level and covers 3 categories of worker classifications. However, the biggest aspect of our certification that sets us apart is our performance based standard. As many regulations impact both the private and public sectors so does the HAZWOPER standard. Employers are responsible for adequately training their employees, but to what level?

Our Certification Helps You

An employer must determine exactly how health and safety regulations apply to them. Professional emergency responders would obviously have to be trained at a far greater level than an engineer or scientist who is conducting groundwater sampling at a contaminated site. The employer must conduct a training needs analysis to identify any gaps between regulations and the job an employee is performing. A training needs analysis is critical to ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations and protecting employees. Usually a matrix is prepared to cross-reference the regulations to the job. Once this is accomplished, any gaps for deficient training are noted and employees must receive the appropriate training.

Our Training Fits Your Needs

In order to adequately protect human health and the environment from exposure to hazardous waste and contaminants, Congress enacted several regulatory programs to protect the nation’s air and water resources, as well as ensure the safety of employees. The one requirement by Congress to OSHA was that certain courses should have minimum time requirements. OSHA promulgated the HAZWOPER regulation with 8, 24 and 40 hour time requirements for different courses. This was to ensure the correct scope and breadth of various topics in the courses. Some of the initial and refresher courses are competency based as well. For state regulatory agencies that are under the purview of U.S. OSHA, they can administer their own regulatory programs. U.S. OSHA approves of the state plan to enforce worker health and safety regulations. These states are commonly know as State Plan States. There are approximately 27 State Plan States with more applying for OSHA approval. An employer must comply with the regulatory agency that has primacy for their respective state. The state regulations must be at least as stringent as the federal standards. Typically, the regulations are almost identical but there are some differences depending on your state. You should be sure to consult with your training provider before taking any training.