What is a contaminated site?

Government-priority Cleanup Sites

Cleanup sites covered under the HAZWOPER Standard include:

• Sites on EPA’s National Priority Site List or NPL (i.e., Superfund Sites),
• Sites recommended for the NPL,
• Sites on State priority lists, and
• Sites under investigation for potential contamination.

RCRA Corrective Actions

Facilities that store, treat, and dispose of hazardous waste in the United States must comply with the regulations that implement the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA).

The law, as amended, authorizes US EPA and State agencies to order the investigation and cleanup of any contamination as part of the permitting process. Sites can also enter EPA's Hazardous Waste Cleanup Program following a release of hazardous waste or hazardous constituents.

Voluntary Cleanup

The HAZWOPER Standard applies to voluntary cleanup efforts at any site recognized by a Federal, state, local, or other governmental body as an “uncontrolled hazardous waste site.”

If unsure about the applicability of HAZWOPER to a specific voluntary cleanup activity, the owner of the site or the cleanup organizers should consult with relevant agencies to get confirmation.