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What is a hazardous substance?

OSHA developed the HAZWOPER Standard to protect emergency responders, site cleanup workers, and others who may be exposed to "hazardous substances." In the HAZWOPER regulations, OSHA defines "hazardous substances" to include four categories:

"CERCLA Hazardous Substances"
(Listed in 40 CFR 302.4)

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) authorizes US EPA to maintain a list of substances that can damage the environment if released. The list of CERCLA hazardous substances includes hundreds of substances, from acetone and ammonia to xylene and zinc.

"Hazardous Materials"
(As defined by 49 CFR 171.8)

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) defines a “hazardous material” as any substance or material that meets one or more of the criteria of a Hazard Class or Division described in 49 CFR 173, or any material that does not meet those criteria but DOT deems a hazardous material (e.g., Class 9).

"Hazardous Waste"
(As defined by 40 CFR 261.3)

Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), a hazardous waste is a waste that either:

Exhibits one or more hazardous waste characteristics (ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity), or
Is described on one of the lists of hazardous wastes in the RCRA regulations (F, K, P & U).

"Biological agents"
and "other disease-causing agents"

Agents "...which after release into the environment and upon exposure, ingestion, inhalation, or assimilation into any person...will or may reasonably be anticipated to cause death, disease, behavioral abnormalities, cancer, genetic mutation, physiological malfunctions, or physical deformation..."

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The online course was well thought out and organized, with good interaction between the student and the course.

Larry Ybarra

Material Release Agent

Convenient; I can train when I want, where I want.

Barry Cook

Hazmat Shipping Professional

I think LION does an excellent job of any training they do. Materials provided are very useful to my day-to-day work activities.

Pamela Embody

EHS Specialist

Lion is easily and consistently the best option for compliance training. I've learned new information from every instructor I've had.

Rachel Mathis

EHS Specialist

Lion courses always set the bar for content, reference, and practical application. Membership and access to the experts is an added bonus.

John Brown, CSP

Director of Safety & Env Affairs

The instructor was probably the best I ever had! He made the class enjoyable, was humorous at times, and very knowledgeable.

Mary Sue Michon

Environmental Administrator

The instructor was very dedicated to providing a quality experience. She did her best to make sure students were really comprehending the information.

Stephanie Venn

Inventory Control Specialist

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

Given the choice, I would do all coursework this way. In-person courses go very fast without the opportunity to pause or repeat anything.

Ellen Pelton

Chemical Laboratory Manager

This training broke down the regulations in an easy-to-understand manner and made them less overwhelming. I now feel I have the knowledge to make more informed decisions.

Amanda Oswald

Shipping Professional

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This report details major changes for hazardous waste generators from US EPA’s Generator Improvements Rule, as well as the latest updates from states that are still working to adopt new, stricter Federal requirements.

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