Which Certification Do You Need For Your Job?

 OSHA and HAZWOPER training impact a wide range of industries, including construction, manufacturing, transportation, engineering, and environmental sciences. Any job that involves working with or around hazardous materials or waste is likely to require certification training. There are many different types of training certifications, and each has unique requirements.

Which training certification course applies to your job?

OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER Training

40-Hour HAZWOPER course is intended for general site workers who are expected to face a high risk of exposure at levels that are at or above OSHA’s permissible exposure limits (PELs) while on the job. Equipment operators, general laborers, and supervisory personnel engaged in hazardous substance removal or activities which expose workers to hazardous substances and health hazards shall receive 40 hours of instruction and three days of field experience.

Operations that typically require 40-hour training include:

• Voluntary or required clean-up operations of hazardous waste sites or sites covered by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
• Operations conducted at treatment, storage, and disposal (TSD) facilities.
• Emergency response operations involving potential release of hazardous substances.

Employees shall not be permitted to participate in or supervise field activities until they have been trained to a level required by their job function and responsibility

OSHA 24-Hour HAZWOPER Training

The 24-hour HAZWOPER course is required for employees of workplaces that have been designated as HAZWOPER sites under OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1910.120.

This course provides basic training for anyone who may be exposed to hazardous chemicals or who will be performing clean-up of hazardous substances but who is not expected to face daily hazards. Workers on site only occasionally for a specific limited task who are unlikely to be exposed over permissible exposure limits (PELs) and published exposure limits shall receive a minimum of 24 hours of instruction and one day actual field experience. Workers regularly on site who work in areas which are under permissible exposure limits and the characterization indicates that there are no health hazards or the possibility of an emergency developing, shall receive a minimum of 24 hours of instruction and one day actual field experience.

Employees shall not be permitted to participate in or supervise field activities until they have been trained to a level required by their job function and responsibility

OSHA 8-Hour HAZWOPER Refresher Training

The 8-hour HAZWOPER refresher course is an annual refresher course designed for anyone who needs to keep their 24-hour HAZWOPER or 40-hour HAZWOPER general site workers certification current and in compliance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120. This training shall be taken every year to maintain compliance.

RCRA Hazardous Waste Generator Training

RCRA Hazardous Waste Generator training is designed for individuals who manage or otherwise deal with hazardous waste. Hazardous waste can cause chemical exposure, fire, oxygen deficiency, radiation, biologic hazards, safety hazards, electrical hazards, heat stress, cold exposure, or noise exposure. Hazardous waste training is required for large quantity and small quantity generators. Training is required for individuals who label or move hazardous waste containers and those who perform inspections. Training is required within six months of employment, and annual training is also required.

DOT HAZMAT Transportation Training

DOT Hazardous Materials Transportation training is for workers who handle, manage, transport, or ship hazardous waste or materials. This includes those who load, unload, or handle hazardous materials; select, mark, label, or modify containers or packaging; prepare materials for shipping, or prepare shipping papers; are responsible for the safety of hazardous materials during shipment; and vehicle operators. Training is required within 90 days and must reoccur every three years.

Contact National Environmental Trainers With Questions About Training Certifications

If you are still unsure about what sort of certification you need for yourself or your employees, don’t hesitate to give us a call. The training certifications above are only a representative sampling of the many courses available through National Environmental Trainers. Click here for a complete list of online training courses.