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OSHA & HAZWOPER Articles

Short articles and tips on compliance with OSHA and HAZWOPER training regulations and requirements.

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March 12 2017

HAZMAT Protection Levels

There are 4 levels of protection as designated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) workers. The levels are Level A, Level B, Level C and ...

February 11 2017

DOT Certification Training

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requires certification training for individuals offering hazardous materials for transportation on public highways, rail, water or by air. These ...

February 1 2017

Our Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) courses provide test answers at the end of each module. At completion of a module, there is a quiz with 4 questions for a student to ...

January 16 2017

HAZWOPER Certificate Requirements

In accordance with OSHA regulations 29 CFR 1910.120, the following elements are required for a HAZWOPER Certificate. This information was obtained from 29 CFR 1910.120 Appendix E (Non-Mandatory ...

December 27 2016

OSHA Approved Training?

This article addresses the question "Does OSHA approve training?" It has been a long-standing policy by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in Washington, D.C., to not ...

December 21 2016

40 Hour HAZWOPER Training: Who Needs It?

Personnel involved in the cleanup and restoration of contaminated sites must have the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 40 Hour HAZWOPER Training (HAZWOPER 40) ...

December 15 2016

What Is HAZWOPER?

HAZWOPER /HAZ-waw-per/ is defined as Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. Congress enacted legislation requiring that both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the ...

December 5 2016

Waste Management Principles for Manufacturing Facilities

Managing a manufacturing facility always comes with a number of challenges that must be met on a routine basis—this is true no matter the industry in question. Often, the facility generates or ...

October 25 2016

Guidelines for Machine Safeguarding

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that machine guarding be provided and maintained in a manner sufficient to protect machine operators and other persons present in ...

October 19 2016

Responding to Hurricane Matthew

When calamity strikes, first responders rush to the front lines. Their job is to save lives, deal with pressing hazards, and repair the damage inflicted by disasters. Well versed in HAZWOPER ...

September 19 2016

The Environmental Impact of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

On September 30, 2016, the nation’s movie theaters will begin screening a major motion picture that dramatizes one of the biggest natural disasters of the 21st century. The film is Deepwater ...

September 9 2016

24hour vs 40hour HAZWOPER

So, what's the big difference between the two other than the amount of time to complete each one? The 24-hour training is aimed primarily at individuals who will work at contaminated sites and ...

August 22 2016

HAZMAT Certification Requirements

The transportation of hazardous materials (HAZMAT) impacts the American economy and our way of life. We use oil and natural gas to heat and cool homes and businesses, produce electricity, and provide ...

August 4 2016

Requirements for RCRA Hazardous Waste Generators

The handling of hazardous waste is regulated by a number of laws at the local, state, and national levels. For obvious reasons, persons involved in the business of hazardous waste management need to ...

July 27 2016

OSHA's HAZWOPER Standard

Handling hazardous substances is a perilous occupation. Thankfully, there are steps every operator can take to minimize the risks associated with managing dangerous materials. In order to ensure the ...

July 27 2016

Emergency Response Planning

Emergencies happen. The key to preventing a critical situation from spiraling out of control is putting in place a comprehensive emergency response plan. As part of their contingency strategy, ...

July 7 2016

Effective Hazmat First Response

Emergency responders are crucial to the outcome of hazardous waste disasters, and are responsible for minimizing damage. Inability to respond appropriately to hazardous material emergencies can ...

June 25 2016

Workplace Fatality and Injury/Illness Data

OSHA has helped reduce the number of workplace fatalities greatly: Before its inception in 1971, 14,000 workers were killed on the job every year. Due to increased vigilance and the standards set by ...

June 11 2016

HAZWOPER Certification Requirements

HAZWOPER or HAZMAT Offensive Responders In compliance with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910.120 regulations, HAZWOPER certification is required for ...

May 26 2016

How The HAZWOPER Hands-on Simulator® Changed the Training Industry

Due to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) acceptance of our HAZWOPER Hands-on Simulator®, employers have changed the manner in which they train their employees. (A ...

May 20 2016

Top 10 Most Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace

Hazardous waste may not be in the news every day, but the statistics are still alarming: Over 400 million tons of hazardous waste are produced each year. Most of those come from industrial sources: ...

May 17 2016

History of HAZWOPER Training

HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response) is a set of standards that provides guidance to workers who work with hazardous materials/substances. Workers who deal with ...

May 10 2016

The 40-Hour HAZWOPER Course: What to Expect?

If you’re on this website, then, in all likelihood, you don’t need to be lectured about the importance of proper management of hazardous goods and waste products—there’s a ...

January 10 2016

OSHA Audit: Impress Them With Time and Motion Study

Time and motion studies should be performed by all employers to evaluate how much work a person can perform safely. Once this is determined, an employer can assign the proper resources for the task ...

August 7 2015

HAZWOPER Lapsed Training or Certification?

Have you let your HAZWOPER training or certification lapse? OSHA has written an interpretation letter on the issue. Essentially, the letter states the decision to repeat the initial HAZWOPER ...

July 22 2015

HAZWOPER Decontamination Practices

HAZWOPER decontamination methods vary in their effectiveness for removing different substances. The effectiveness of any decontamination method should be assessed at the beginning of a program and ...

July 21 2015

Hazardous Materials Chemical Exposures

While performing work at a Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) site, personnel must have training sufficient to effectively protect them against unnecessary chemical ...

July 21 2015

OSHA Head Protection Guidelines

Protecting employees from potential head injuries is a key element of any safety program which is covered in the hazmat online classes course. A head injury can impair an employee for life or it can ...

July 21 2015

Useful Construction Safety Tips

Working with tools and heavy equipment is a major hazard at construction sites. Injuries can result from equipment hitting or running over personnel, impacts from flying objects, burns from hot ...

July 21 2015

HAZWOPER & Lead Based Paint Worker Monitoring

HAZWOPER and Construction Medical Assessment For Lead Based Paint When a construction employee is occupationally exposed to lead at or above the action level of 30 µg/m3 on any one day in ...

July 21 2015

Lead Medical Surveillance Program

The employer must institute a medical surveillance program for all employees who are or may be exposed at or above the action level for more than 30 days in any 12 consecutive months. The employer ...

July 20 2015

OSHA Respirator Key Definitions

Air-purifying respirator. A respirator with an air-purifying filter, cartridge or canister that removes specific air contaminants by passing ambient air through the air-purifying element. Assigned ...

July 19 2015

HAZWOPER Site IDLH Monitoring

Monitoring for IDLH and Other Dangerous Conditions at HAZWOPER Sites As a first step, air monitoring should be conducted to identify any Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) and other ...

July 19 2015

Respiratory Hazards in the Workplace

Exposure Assessment Respiratory protection should never be used either as a primary solution or as the only solution for controlling employee exposure to harmful airborne contaminants. Rather, ...

July 19 2015

Effective Respiratory Protection Program

Employee Training and Information One of the key elements in an effective respiratory protection program is employee training. Before employees use a respirator in the workplace, they must ...

July 18 2015

What Is HAZCOM?

OSHA's Hazard Communication (HAZCOM) standard (HCS) is designed to protect against chemical source illnesses and injuries by ensuring that employers and employees are provided with sufficient ...

July 18 2015

HAZWOPER Decontamination

Decontamination The process of removing or neutralizing contaminants that have accumulated on personnel and equipment is critical to health and safety at hazardous waste sites. Decontamination ...

July 14 2015

Hazardous Waste Site Security

Site security for hazardous waste sites and cleanup sites (HAZWOPER) is essential in protecting authorized personnel, workers, visitors and the local community. Listed below are some helpful tip ...

July 13 2015

OSHA HAZWOPER Work Zones

The following presents the 3 main Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) Work Zones for personnel engaged in cleanup of contaminated sites. These zones can also be used for ...

July 12 2015

Heat Stress

Because the incidence of heat stress depends on a variety of factors, all workers, even those not wearing protective equipment, should be monitored. HAZWOPER workers wearing permeable clothing ...

July 12 2015

HAZWOPER Worker Acclimatization

The degree to which a worker's body has physiologically adjusted or acclimatized to working under hot conditions affects his or her ability to do work. Acclimatized individuals generally have lower ...

July 11 2015

HAZWOPER PPE Ensembles Considerations

Work Mission Duration A routine should be established and practiced periodically for donning a fully-encapsulating suit/Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) ensemble. Assistance should be ...

July 11 2015

HAZWOPER Site Communication Methods

Two sets of communication systems should be established: internal communication among personnel on site, and external communication between onsite and offsite personnel. Internal communication is ...

July 9 2015

HAZWOPER/HAZMAT Medical Exams

HAZWOPER/HAZMAT medical examinations should be developed and used in conjunction with pre-employment screening examinations. Comparison of sequential medical reports with baseline data is essential ...

July 6 2015

HAZWOPER Site Survey

The purpose of an onsite survey is to verify and supplement information from the offsite characterization. Prior to going on site, the offsite characterization should be used to develop a Site Safety ...

July 6 2015

OSHA HAZWOPER Exposure Key Definitions

Once the presence and concentrations of specific chemicals or classes of chemicals have been established, the hazards associated with these chemicals must be determined. This is done by referring to ...

July 6 2015

Selection of Chemical-Protective Clothing (CPC)

Chemical-protective clothing (CPC) is available in a variety of materials that offer a range of protection against different chemicals. The most appropriate clothing material will depend on the ...

July 5 2015

Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Conditions

Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) gas is very corrosive and causes metals to become brittle. Therefore, employers need to take special precautions when choosing equipment when they may reasonably expect to ...

July 5 2015

OSHA Respiratory Protection Program

Many different types and levels of inhalation hazards exist on a hazardous waste site. Waste site workers need to thoroughly understand the different types of respiratory equipment available, ...

July 5 2015

Site Health and Safety Plan

Anyone who enters a hazardous waste site must recognize and understand the potential hazards to health and safety associated with the cleanup of that site. Personnel actively involved in cleanup must ...

July 3 2015

Excavation Safety Tips

Surface encumbrances All excavation surface encumbrances that are located so as to create a hazard to employees must be removed or supported, as necessary, to safeguard employees. Underground ...

July 2 2015

Compressed Gas Cylinders Handling

1. Before cylinders are first used the following precautions should be taken: • Make sure the cylinder is equipped with the correct regulator. • Inspect the regulator and cylinder valves ...

July 2 2015

Meth Lab Discharges

While various states have issued regulations on the decontamination of meth labs, the health and safety of workers still comes under the purview of OSHA. This can either be U.S. OSHA or an OSHA Plan ...

July 1 2015

OSHA and MSHA Inspections

This blog contains general information about the inspection process from different regulatory agencies governing worker safety. All employees should be aware of the inspection procedures of these ...

June 30 2015

Hazardous Waste Site Characterization

Hazardous waste site characterization provides the information needed to identify site hazards and to select worker protection methods. The more accurate, detailed, and comprehensive the information ...

June 30 2015

Air-Purifying Respirators

Air-purifying respirators consist of a facepiece and an air-purifying device, which is either a removable component of the facepiece or an air-purifying apparatus worn on a body harness and attached ...

June 30 2015

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

A self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) usually consists of a facepiece connected by a hose and a regulator to an air source (compressed air, compressed oxygen, or an oxygen-generating chemical) ...

June 30 2015

Supplied-Air Respirators (SARs)

Supplied-air respirators (also known as air-line respirators) supply air, never oxygen, to a facepiece via a supply line from a stationary source. SARs are available in positive-pressure and ...

June 29 2015

40 Hour HAZWOPER Card

Anyone who enters a HAZWOPER site must recognize and understand the potential hazards to health and safety associated with the cleanup of that site. Personnel actively involved in cleanup must be ...

June 29 2015

HAZWOPER SIte: Characterization and Entry

Background 29 CFR 1910.120 requires personnel monitoring to be conducted on hazardous waste site employees. Personnel sampling is broken down into three categories; • initial site entry air ...

June 25 2015

What are the highlights of the OSHA scaffolding standard?

OSHA's scaffolding standard has several key provisions: • Fall protection or fall arrest systems—Each employee more than 10 feet above a lower level shall be protected from falls by ...

June 25 2015

OSHA Confined Space Regulation and Requirements

The OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1910.146 defines roles and responsibilities for confined space entry. The regulation requires that this program provide a basis for prevention of accidents and fatalities ...

June 25 2015

Confined Space Maintenance

The technical depth of confined space training maintenance procedures vary. Manufacturers frequently restrict the sale of certain PPE parts to individuals or groups who are specially trained, ...

June 25 2015

DOT HAZMAT Shipping Key Definitions

What are the DOT HAZMAT Shipping Key Definitions? Dangerous goods: Interchangeable with the term "hazardous materials" and mainly used in connection with air shipments of regulated ...

June 25 2015

HAZMAT Responder Fitness for Duty

Determination of Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Responder Fitness for Duty Responders at hazardous materials (HAZMAT) or HAZWOPER sites are often required to perform strenuous tasks (e.g., moving ...

June 24 2015

HAZWOPER Personal Protective Equipment Levels for Employees

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), HAZWOPER trainees must adhere to four levels of personal protective equipment (PPE). These four levels were created to ...

June 24 2015

RCRA Annual Refresher Training

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 40 CFR 262.34(a)(4) RCRA training states that large quantity generator (LQG) waste management personnel must be trained in accordance with the requirements ...

June 24 2015

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

Introduction In 1976, Congress passed the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) mandating the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop and implement a program to ...

June 23 2015

Confined Space Entry Permit

Develop Confined Space Entry Permits The Confined Space Entry Permit is the major tool in assuring safety during entry into confined spaces with known hazards or with unknown ...

June 21 2015

HAZWOPER Respirator Protection Factors

So, how do we measure the chemical concentration of a respirator for HAZWOPER work? After the oxygen content has been determined for a HAZWOPER site, and after the chemical has been identified and ...

June 21 2015

HAZWOPER PPE Levels of Protection

Knowledge of the different HAZWOPER levels and types of personal protective equipment (PPE) is important because of the many different types of hazards found on a hazardous waste site. The worker ...

June 20 2015

OSHA 40 Hour HAZWOPER Training

When you engage your employees to work in a hazardous waste contaminated site, here are some helpful ideas to remember when training your personnel to the OSHA 40 Hour HAZWOPER certification ...

June 20 2015

Incident Commander (IC) Training as Required by OSHA

Incident Commander Description OSHA Best Practices for Hospital-Based First Receivers of Victims from Mass Casualty Incidents Involving the Release of Hazardous Substances HAZWOPER Incident ...

June 20 2015

What is CBRNE?

What is Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRNE)? CBRNE is an acronym for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and high yield Explosives. These types of weapons have the ...

June 16 2015

Protecting Workers from Effects of Heat

During emergency response activities or recovery operations, workers may be required to work in hot environments, and sometimes for extended periods. When the body is unable to cool itself by ...

June 13 2015

Importance HAZWOPER Training in Unexpected Disasters

With the recent earthquakes, we are reminded of the importance of safety training and being prepared for the worst. While no one likes to think about the possibility of catastrophes taking place, it ...

June 13 2015

Nationwide Uniformity in HAZWOPER Training Enables Workers to Assist Anywhere

Uniform training nationwide is critical for those working with hazardous materials. The practical applications of Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training are far ...

June 13 2015

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 ...

June 13 2015

National Security Threat Level Increase Affects Potential HAZWOPER Responders

In the event of a rise in the threat level for national security, it is important for those who work in places that use hazardous materials or perform clean-up to be even more alert than usual. While ...

June 13 2015

Do All Hospital Workers Require First Responder HAZWOPER Training?

When there is a hazardous waste spill or contamination event, the idea is that injured people can be helped. Whether it's by on-scene workers with medical training or outside emergency workers and ...

June 13 2015

HAZWOPER Training Serves Many Industries With One Same Goal

While most people who need Hazardous Waste and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training consider themselves knowledgeable in what it is for and when it might be needed, many people never think beyond ...

June 13 2015

Would You Know Asbestos If You Saw It?

There is more to National Environmental Trainers' classes than Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards for Hazardous Waste and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER). Although it is a ...

June 13 2015

Why Healthcare Workers Take HAZWOPER Training

The Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HAZWOPER) covers employees in various industries who have been exposed to hazardous substances or those who have potentially been ...

June 13 2015

OSHA Construction Training Helps Keep Construction Sites Accident-Free

Maintaining safe workplace policies and surroundings is the primary goal of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which is tasked with preventing on-the-job accidents and ...

June 13 2015

What is OSHA 10-hour Training?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal agency under the US Department of Labor that helps to make sure that workers are safe on the job. In order to make sure that ...

June 13 2015

How HAZWOPER Training Helps Hospital Staff

Hospitals are meant to provide relief and healing to those who visit. This needs to be the goal of each one as an institution, and the people who work there need to do everything that they can to ...

June 13 2015

What Is HAZWOPER 24 Training?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires specialized training for workers who may be exposed to hazardous waste materials while on the job. There are different types of ...

June 3 2015

HAZCOM and HAZWOPER

Beginning June 1, 2015 OSHA requires chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors and employers to provide a common approach to classifying chemicals and effectively communicating this information ...

May 26 2015

Who Owns Your HAZWOPER Certificate?

During the 2010 Gulf Oil Spill, many people were in need of HAZWOPER training. The BP oil slick was a threat to the environment as well as the way of life in the Gulf Coast. There was a tremendous ...

May 6 2015

Mass Exodus from HAZWOPER Classroom Training?

Lately, there has been a mass exodus from public seminar classroom training across all industries. More and more employers are requiring their employees to train online rather than sending them ...

April 4 2015

What If You Fail The HAZWOPER Course?

Those taking Hazardous Waste and Operations Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training courses are required to pass before they receive certification. Our National Environmental Trainers® courses are ...

April 2 2015

HAZWOPER versus HAZMAT

Many people confuse the terms Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) and Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT). The terms are very similar but their meanings differ considerably. ...

March 24 2015

HAZWOPER Definition

One of the most frequently asked questions we encounter at National Environmental Trainers is: What does HAZWOPER stand for? It is an unusual-looking acronym that stands for Hazardous Waste ...

March 20 2015

HAZWOPER Simulator With Site-Specific Training

Simulators Emphasize the Importance of Personal Protective Equipment When it comes to Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training, some people find it easier to train onsite ...

March 18 2015

Corporate Training Portal

Is Corporate Portal Training Right For You? National Environmental Trainers offers a special type of online training that is specifically designed for individual companies or organizations. It ...

March 7 2015

HAZWOPER and RCRA Corrective Action

If your facility has a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Part B permit for the treatment, storage, and/or disposal of hazardous waste, any remedial action will come under the purview of ...

March 1 2015

HAZWOPER Program Implementation

What important items should you know and be aware of when creating a HAZWOPER program for your facility? We have researched the subject and provided an excellent overview of items you must consider. ...

February 17 2015

U.S. EPA Universal Hazardous Waste Manifest Forms

If you are looking for the EPA's Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest forms, please find them below. Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest and Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest Continuation Sheet These forms ...

February 8 2015

U.S. EPA Revises Recycling Hazardous Waste Rule

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has revised a rule regarding the recycling of hazardous waste materials. The EPA revised the Definition of Solid Waste under the Resource ...

February 1 2015

Experience Matters

Experience Matters in HAZWOPER Training How do you know if you’re getting the right training under Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations? Make sure that your ...

February 1 2015

Space Shuttle Columbia Cleanup

The Space Shuttle Columbia disaster occurred on February 1, 2003, when Columbia disintegrated over Texas and Louisiana as it reentered Earth's atmosphere, killing all seven crew members. A wide scale ...

November 5 2014

Hands On Training

What is Hands-on Training for 24 Hour and 40 Hour HAZWOPER? OSHA has stated in many interpretation letters that 40 hour and 24 hour sessions require site-specific hands-on learning on the actual PPE ...

November 5 2014

General Site Certification

Without question, this is the largest pool of people requiring HAZWOPER certification. This may change as the contaminated sites are slowly remediated. These contaminated sites are placed on the ...

November 5 2014

24 Hour Training

Which Workers at Permitted Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities Need Training? There is a 24 hour training requirement for workers involved in hazardous waste operations, and an ...

November 5 2014

First Online Training

The online HAZWOPER training industry began in 1998 when our company published the first online HAZWOPER Refresher training course. Since this time, many companies have seen the great value that ...

November 5 2014

Training for Oil Spills

OSHA has issued special directives or guidance documents with respect to marine oil spill cleanup. According to these documents, some of the HAZWOPER training requirements maybe be lessened. For ...

November 5 2014

Meth Lab Remediation

OSHA requires that personnel entering a suspected clandestine methamphetamine (meth) lab to be trained to the HAZWOPER standard. Meth labs are considered to be very dangerous operations for law ...

November 5 2014

Unique 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 ...

November 5 2014

Ebola HAZMAT Training

The Ebola virus is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or body fluids/substances (e.g., urine, feces, vomit) of an infected person with symptoms or through exposure to objects (such as ...

November 5 2014

Training Regulation

This video provides a great overview of the various HAZWOPER job classifications and respective training requirements. If you want to view a video instead of reading about HAZWOPER's course ...

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