All Courses Training Packages Enterprise Request a Quote
Industries
Construction Manufacturing Municipal & Utilities Oil & Gas Transportation Healthcare Office & Corporate
Course Categories
Safety Training Construction Safety HR Compliance HAZMAT & HAZWOPER Driver & Fleet Safety Workplace Culture & Soft Skills Healthcare & Patient Safety Environmental Compliance
Sign In
1-800-287-5942 Start Today Request a Quote
Create Your Employer Account
Home›Courses›Hazardous Materials & HAZWOPER›HAZWOPER Awareness: The Basics

HAZWOPER Awareness: The Basics

32 minutesEN / ES / MLCCHazardous Materials & HAZWOPER29 CFR 1910.120 (HAZWOPER)
Quick Answer

HAZWOPER Awareness: The Basics is a 32-minute online course that provides an overview of the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) standard under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120. It is designed for workers who need foundational knowledge of hazardous substance identification, PPE selection, and emergency response procedures, and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.

Course Overview

OSHA's HAZWOPER standard (29 CFR 1910.120) is one of the most complex safety regulations, containing 13 levels of initial training requirements across three categories: site worker training, treatment/storage/disposal (TSD) facility training, and emergency response training. The standard applies to five types of operations, from hazardous waste cleanup sites to emergency responses involving uncontrolled releases. Violations carry penalties up to $16,550 for serious offenses and $165,514 for willful or repeat violations.

This course provides your team with a foundational understanding of what HAZWOPER covers and when it applies. It reviews key components of the Hazard Communication standard, explains how to determine when a substance qualifies as a chemical hazard, and covers the basics of PPE selection and spill response. Your employees will learn who requires HAZWOPER training, what the training curriculum involves at each level, and how the standard's requirements differ based on job duties and exposure risk.

What You'll Learn

  • Overview of the HAZWOPER standard (29 CFR 1910.120) and its five operational categories
  • When HAZWOPER applies and when it does not, including incidental spill exemptions
  • Chemical hazard identification using the Hazard Communication standard (29 CFR 1910.1200)
  • PPE selection based on hazard type, exposure level, and HAZMAT area classification
  • Site Safety and Health Plan components and site characterization requirements
  • Emergency response procedures and the five levels of emergency responder training
  • Decontamination basics and exposure monitoring fundamentals

Who Needs This Training

  • Workers at facilities that handle, store, or generate hazardous materials
  • First responder awareness-level personnel under 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(i)
  • New employees being introduced to HAZWOPER-regulated work environments
  • Safety managers building a HAZWOPER training program for their organization
  • Supervisors overseeing hazardous waste operations or emergency response teams
  • Environmental services and waste management employees

Regulatory Background

The HAZWOPER standard at 29 CFR 1910.120 (general industry) and 29 CFR 1926.65 (construction) protects workers involved in hazardous waste cleanup, treatment and disposal operations, and emergency response to uncontrolled hazardous substance releases. OSHA requires training ranging from 8 hours (awareness-level responders) to 40 hours (general site workers at cleanup sites), plus 8 hours of annual refresher training for all covered employees. The EPA's Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) at 40 CFR Parts 262-279 adds additional training requirements for hazardous waste generators. OSHA penalties for HAZWOPER violations can reach $16,550 per serious violation and $165,514 for willful or repeat offenses. Hazard Communication (29 CFR 1910.1200) ranked as OSHA's second most-cited standard in FY 2025 with 2,546 violations, underscoring the importance of proper chemical hazard identification.

Frequently Asked Questions

OSHA defines three main training categories under HAZWOPER: site worker training (24 or 40 hours for cleanup site personnel under 29 CFR 1910.120(e)), TSD facility training (under paragraph (p)), and emergency response training with five levels ranging from first responder awareness to incident commander (under paragraph (q)). All covered employees must complete 8 hours of annual refresher training.
This course provides foundational HAZWOPER knowledge suitable for awareness-level orientation. OSHA's full HAZWOPER training requirements vary by job function and may include 24 or 40 hours of initial training plus supervised field experience. Employers should assess their workers' specific roles against 29 CFR 1910.120 paragraphs (e), (p), and (q) to determine the complete training requirement.
An incidental spill is a release that can be safely absorbed, neutralized, or controlled by employees in the immediate area using available equipment, without evacuation or a coordinated response. An emergency response involves a release that requires action beyond the immediate area, specialized equipment, or a coordinated team response. Incidental spills are not covered under HAZWOPER paragraph (q) but may still require Hazard Communication training.
OSHA requires 8 hours of annual refresher training for general site workers (29 CFR 1910.120(e)(8)) and annual refresher training of sufficient content and duration to maintain competency for emergency responders (29 CFR 1910.120(q)(8)). The refresher training must cover the same core topics as the initial training and address any new hazards or regulatory changes.
HAZWOPER applies to five groups: workers at uncontrolled hazardous waste cleanup sites, workers at RCRA corrective action sites, workers at voluntary cleanup sites, employees at hazardous waste treatment/storage/disposal facilities, and personnel who respond to emergency releases of hazardous substances. The standard covers industries including chemical manufacturing, waste management, environmental remediation, construction, and emergency services.

Part of These Training Packages

Municipal & Utilities

10 courses for water/wastewater, public works, and utility compliance

View Package Details

Oil & Gas

9 courses for upstream, midstream, and downstream safety compliance

View Package Details

Related Courses

Employers building a complete HAZWOPER training program typically follow this awareness course with HAZWOPER Safety: Decontamination and Best Practices and HAZWOPER Safety: Procedures, Monitoring, and Surveillance for workers who need deeper operational knowledge. Facilities with chemical storage should also consider Hazard Communication: GHS Safety Data Sheets to meet the related HazCom training requirement.

Hazardous Materials & HAZWOPER

Anhydrous Ammonia

35 min - EN

$29.95View Course
Hazardous Materials & HAZWOPER

Asbestos (Construction) Online Course

60 min - EN

$34.95View Course
Hazardous Materials & HAZWOPER

Asbestos Cement Pipe Safety (Public Agency) Interactive Training

19 min - EN

$24.95View Course
$29.95
per person
Volume Pricing
Team Size Price per Person
1 - 9$29.95
10 - 24$23.95
25 - 49$21.55
50 - 99$17.50
Subtotal $29.95
Language

This course is available in English, Spanish, and Multi-Language CC at no additional charge.

Certificate of completion included. Downloadable upon passing the final assessment.

Need Help?
1-800-287-5942 Request a Custom Quote
$29.95
per person