OSHA requires HAZWOPER training for three main groups of professionals/personnel:
1. Facility emergency response personnel.
HAZWOPER training is required for personnel who respond to emergency releases of hazardous substances, wherever the release occurs. OSHA divides the emergency responder category based on each employee's level of responsibility during an emergency release.
This HAZWOPER infographic illustrates the levels of emergency responders and what HAZWOPER training is required for each employee.
HAZWOPER "emergency response” actions include activities like sounding alarms, covering drains and vents, actively approaching the area of a release to plug, patch, or otherwise stop it, and overseeing the facility’s response to emergency releases. HAZWOPER training requirements for emergency response personnel are covered under HAZWOPER regulations in 29 CFR 1910.120 paragraph (q)(6).
2. Personnel who work at “uncontrolled hazardous waste sites.”
This includes managers, supervisors, and any employees who may be exposed to hazardous substances health hazards, or safety hazards during cleanup activities—including those with non-cleanup duties, like utility workers.
Common job responsibilities that require HAZWOPER training include assessing the site, operating equipment on site, excavating drums and other containers, monitoring hazardous substances, taking environmental samples, handling drums of hazardous waste, supervising personnel, and more.
This HAZWOPER infographic illustrates the types of site cleanup personnel who need HAZWOPER training. HAZWOPER training requirements for site cleanup activities are covered under HAZWOPER regulations in 29 CFR 1910.120 paragraph (e).
3. Personnel who work at hazardous waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs).
HAZWOPER training rules for TSDFs are covered under HAZWOPER regulations at 29 CFR 1910.120, paragraph (p).
HAZWOPER Training
Lion delivers online HAZWOPER training for two groups of employees who work with hazardous substances: Emergency responders and site workers at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites (e.g., Superfund sites).
New: Not sure which HAZWOPER course is for you? The interactive HAZWOPER Training Decision Maker will help you select training that's appropriate for your occupation, job role, and experience level.
Emergency Response
Personnel who respond to or may encounter emergency hazardous substance releases must complete HAZWOPER training. Initial training and annual refresher training is required for all levels of responders—from awareness level to the Incident Commander.
These online courses will help satisfy initial or refresher OSHA HAZWOPER training requirements for emergency responders (29 CFR 1910.120(q)).
Contaminated Site Cleanup
OSHA's HAZWOPER regulations require training for employees at sites contaminated with hazardous substances and designated for cleanup by Federal, State, or local authorities under RCRA, Superfund, or other environmental cleanup standards.
These courses will help satisfy initial or refresher HAZWOPER training requirements for site cleanup workers (29 CFR 1910.120(e)).
HAZWOPER Training Basics
Must-know details about HAZWOPER training for cleanup site workers and personnel who respond to hazardous substance releases.
OSHA requires annual HAZWOPER refresher training for covered employees.
Annual HAZWOPER training is required for contaminated site clean-up site workers (see 29 CFR 1910.120(e)(8)).
Annual HAZWOPER training is required for all levels of emergency response personnel (see 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(8)(i)).
This is a common point of confusion for hazardous waste generators.
Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous waste regulations US EPA requires “hazardous waste personnel” to complete annual training in proper on-site hazardous waste management practices (40 CFR 262.17).
RCRA training is required to prevent releases of hazardous waste to the environment through proper management.
HAZWOPER is an OSHA workplace health and safety Standard (29 CFR 1910.120) to protect employees who work with hazardous substances in specific scenarios. These scenarios include response to emergency releases of hazardous substances and cleanup/remediation at contaminated sites.
RCRA training is required for all hazardous waste personnel. Some RCRA-trained personnel may also encounter or respond to emergency releases. Based on the employee's responsibilities and actions during a release, HAZWOPER training at the awareness (FRA), operations (FRO), or technician level may be appropriate.
HAZWOPER emergency response training goes far beyond what typical hazardous waste personnel need to know to safely generate and manage waste on site.
For hazardous waste personnel who's only responsibility during a release is to alert others and evacuate (taking no further action), HAZWOPER awareness training is likely most appropriate.
Read more: RCRA vs. HAZWOPER: What’s the Difference?
OSHA allows employers to utilize online training as part of an effective health and safety training program, including to help satisfy initial or refresher HAZWOPER training requirements for employees.
OSHA says:
"In OSHA's view, self-paced, interactive computer-based training can serve as a valuable tool in the context of an over-all HAZWOPER training program. "
...
"...OSHA believes that computer-based training programs can be used as part of an effective safety and health training program to satisfy OSHA training requirements, provided that the program is supplemented by the opportunity for trainees to ask questions of a qualified trainer, and gives trainees hands-on familiarity with protective equipment."
Because HAZWOPER training must include elements that are specific to the work environment, substances, and equipment the employee will encounter on the job, online HAZWOPER training will likely need to be supplemented with site-specific instruction.
As part of initial training for site workers at contaminated cleanup sites, OSHA requires three days of field experience in addition to 40 hours of off-site "classroom" instruction.
HAZWOPER Training FAQ
Lion's HAZWOPER Training FAQ answers more of the most frequently asked questions about who needs HAZWOPER training, how many hours of training to provide, and much more.

Lion's online training is more comprehensive, has better slides, and is a superior training experience than what I would get from other trainers.
Robert Brenner
District Environmental Manager
Our instructor was very dynamic and kept everyone's interest. Hazmat shipping can be a dry, complicated topic but I was engaged the entire time.
Kimberly Arnao
Senior Director of EH&S
Lion's course was superior to others I have taken in the past. Very clear in the presentation and the examples helped to explain the content presented.
George Bersik
Hazardous Waste Professional
The instructor was very very informative, helpful, understandable and pleasant. This course answered many questions I had, being new to this industry.
Frances Mona
Shipping Manager
This course went above my expectations from the moment I walked in the door. The instructor led us through two days packed with useful compliance information.
Rachel Stewart
Environmental Manager
Lion provided an excellent introduction to environmental regulations, making the transition to a new career as an EHS specialist less daunting of a task. Drinking from a fire hose when the flow of water is lessened, is much more enjoyable!
Stephanie Weathers
SHE Specialist
I really enjoyed this training. Even after years on both sides of the comprehension coin, I find myself still learning! The quality of the delivery exceeded much of the training I have received in the past.
Neil Ozonur
Safety Officer
I was recently offered an opportunity to take my training through another company, but I politely declined. I only attend Lion Technology workshops.
Stephanie Gilliam
Material Production/Logistics Manager
Excellent. I learned more in two days with Lion than at a 5-day program I took with another provider.
Francisco Gallardo
HES Technician
Lion's training was by far the best online RCRA training I've ever taken. It was challenging and the layout was great!
Paul Harbison
Hazardous Waste Professional
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