HAZWOPER guide · 4 min read · Updated 2026-11-03
What Is HAZWOPER? The Complete Guide to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120
HAZWOPER stands for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. It is the OSHA standard at 29 CFR 1910.120 (repeated word for word for construction at 29 CFR 1926.65) that sets safety, health and training rules for people who clean up hazardous waste, work at hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities, or respond to releases of hazardous substances. OSHA published the final rule in 1989 under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA).
Who HAZWOPER applies to
Paragraph (a)(1) of the standard lists five groups of operations:
- Government-required cleanups at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites, including EPA Superfund (CERCLA) sites and state priority sites.
- RCRA corrective actions at facilities regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
- Voluntary cleanups at sites recognized by a federal, state, local or other government body as uncontrolled hazardous waste sites.
- Operations at RCRA treatment, storage and disposal (TSD) facilities regulated under 40 CFR Parts 264 and 265.
- Emergency response to releases, or substantial threats of releases, of hazardous substances, wherever the hazard occurs.
That last group is the one people miss. A chemical plant, warehouse, hospital, utility, refinery, fire department or water treatment plant that expects its employees to respond to a spill is covered by HAZWOPER's emergency response rules in paragraph (q), even though it never touches a cleanup site.
HAZWOPER training levels
Training hours depend on what the worker does and how much exposure they may have. The main levels are:
| Level | Who | Initial training | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 Hour | General site workers (laborers, equipment operators, remediation technicians) who may be exposed at or above permissible exposure limits | 40 hours off site + 3 days supervised field experience | 1910.120(e)(3)(i) |
| 24 Hour | Occasional site workers, and workers in fully monitored areas below exposure limits who don't need respirators | 24 hours off site + 1 day field experience | 1910.120(e)(3)(ii)-(iii) |
| 8 Hour Supervisor | On-site managers and supervisors | Their 40 or 24 hour training + 8 more hours | 1910.120(e)(4) |
| 8 Hour Refresher | Everyone trained at the 40 or 24 hour level | 8 hours every year | 1910.120(e)(8) |
| TSD Facility | Employees at RCRA treatment, storage and disposal facilities | 24 hours + 8 hours each year | 1910.120(p)(7) |
| Emergency response | Awareness, operations, technician, specialist, incident commander | Competency-based, from awareness to 24+ hours | 1910.120(q)(6) |
Not sure which applies to you? Read 40 vs 24 vs 8 Hour HAZWOPER: which training do you need.
What HAZWOPER training covers
Under 1910.120(e)(2), initial training has to cover:
- The names of personnel and alternates responsible for site safety and health
- Safety, health and other hazards present on the site
- Use of personal protective equipment (PPE levels A, B, C and D)
- Work practices that minimize risk
- Safe use of engineering controls and equipment on the site
- Medical surveillance requirements, including recognition of symptoms and signs of overexposure
- The contents of the site safety and health plan
In practice, a 40-hour course also teaches toxicology and routes of exposure, exposure limits, air monitoring, site control and work zones, decontamination, confined spaces, drum handling, spill containment and emergency procedures.
The written programs HAZWOPER requires
Training is only one part of the standard. Employers running cleanup operations also need:
- A written safety and health program (paragraph b) with an organizational structure, work plan and a site-specific safety and health plan
- Site characterization and analysis before entry (c)
- Site control, including a site map, work zones and the buddy system (d)
- Medical surveillance for workers exposed above limits, respirator users and HAZMAT team members (f)
- Engineering controls, work practices and PPE (g)
- Air monitoring (h)
- Decontamination procedures (k)
- An emergency response plan (l for cleanup sites, q for other employers)
Emergency response under paragraph (q)
Employers whose employees respond to hazardous substance releases need a written emergency response plan, an incident command system, and responders trained to the level of their duties. The five levels run from first responder awareness (people who discover a release and call it in) to on-scene incident commander. See HAZWOPER emergency response training levels for the hours and competencies each one needs.
Is online HAZWOPER training valid?
Yes, for the classroom portion. OSHA has said in interpretation letters that computer-based training can meet part of the requirement when it covers the required topics and trainees can reach a qualified trainer with questions. It does not replace the supervised field experience the 40 and 24 hour levels need, or hands-on practice with the PPE and equipment a worker will use. Employers stay responsible for site-specific training and field days.
How to get started
- Work out your training level from your duties and likely exposure.
- Complete the online course and final exam. Your certificate and wallet card are available as soon as you pass.
- Complete supervised field experience with your employer (40 and 24 hour levels).
- Take the 8 hour refresher every 12 months to stay current.
Want to check what you know first? Take the free HAZWOPER practice test.
Frequently asked questions
What does HAZWOPER stand for?
HAZWOPER stands for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, the OSHA standard at 29 CFR 1910.120 and 29 CFR 1926.65.
Is HAZWOPER a certification or a license?
HAZWOPER is a training requirement, not a government license. After training, the trainer issues a written certificate (1910.120(e)(7)) showing the worker completed the required training. OSHA does not issue HAZWOPER cards itself.
What is the difference between 1910.120 and 1926.65?
The text is identical. 29 CFR 1910.120 applies to general industry and 29 CFR 1926.65 applies to construction work, such as demolition or excavation on a hazardous waste site.
This guide summarizes federal OSHA, Cal/OSHA and EPA rules for training purposes. It is not legal advice. Always check the current regulation text and your site safety and health plan.