# 40 vs 24 vs 8 Hour HAZWOPER: Which Training Do You Need? HAZWOPER guide · 2 min read · Updated 2026-11-03 The number of hours of HAZWOPER training you need depends on two things: **what you do on site** and **how much exposure you may have**. Here is how OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120(e)(3) sorts workers. ## 40 hour HAZWOPER Required for **general site workers** at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites who are exposed, or may be exposed, to hazardous substances at or above permissible exposure limits, or who need respirators. Typical roles: laborers, heavy equipment operators, drillers, remediation technicians, sampling crews and environmental field staff. - 40 hours of instruction off the site - Plus at least **3 days of actual field experience** under a trained, experienced supervisor Industry versions cover the same 40 hours with scenarios from your field: [construction](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/courses/osha-40-hour-hazwoper-for-construction-contaminated-sites/), [environmental remediation](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/courses/osha-40-hour-hazwoper-for-environmental-remediation/), [oil and gas spill response](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/courses/osha-40-hour-hazwoper-for-oil-and-gas-spill-response/), [fire and HAZMAT teams](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/courses/osha-40-hour-hazwoper-for-emergency-response-fire-hazmat-teams/) and [utility and pipeline](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/courses/osha-40-hour-hazwoper-for-utility-pipeline-emergency-response/). It is also offered [in Spanish](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/courses/osha-40-hour-hazwoper-training-spanish/). ## 24 hour HAZWOPER Required for two groups: - **Occasional site workers** on site for a specific, limited task (for example, groundwater monitoring, land surveying or geophysical surveying) who are unlikely to be exposed above permissible exposure limits - **Workers regularly on site in areas that are monitored and fully characterized**, where exposures are below permissible limits and respirators are not needed, and the characterization shows no health hazards or possibility of an emergency Plus at least **1 day of field experience** under a trained, experienced supervisor. Workers at RCRA TSD facilities also need 24 hours under 1910.120(p). ## Upgrading from 24 to 40 hours A 24-hour worker who becomes a general site worker, or who has to wear a respirator, needs the **additional 16 hours and 2 days** of training to reach the 40-hour level (1910.120(e)(3)(iv)). Many people take the full [40 hour course](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/courses/osha-40-hour-hazwoper-training/) so they are qualified for any site role from the start. ## 8 hour refresher Everyone trained at the 40 or 24 hour level needs **8 hours of refresher training every year** (1910.120(e)(8)). The [8 hour HAZWOPER refresher](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/courses/osha-8-hour-hazwoper-refresher-training/) reviews core topics and covers relevant changes, recent incidents and lessons learned. Details: [HAZWOPER refresher requirements](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/guides/hazwoper-refresher-requirements/). ## 8 hour supervisor On-site managers and supervisors directly responsible for, or who supervise, employees in hazardous waste operations need the same initial training as their workers **plus at least 8 additional hours** on managing the employer's safety and health program, PPE program, spill containment program and health hazard monitoring (1910.120(e)(4)). Take the [8 hour supervisor course](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/courses/osha-8-hour-hazwoper-supervisor-training/) once; the annual refresher still applies, and a [supervisor refresher](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/courses/osha-8-hour-hazwoper-supervisor-refresher-training/) is available. ## Quick decision table | If you... | You need | | --- | --- | | Work hands-on at a cleanup site with possible exposure above limits or respirator use | [40 Hour](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/courses/osha-40-hour-hazwoper-training/) + 3 field days | | Visit a site occasionally for a limited task with low exposure | [24 Hour](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/courses/osha-24-hour-hazwoper-training/) + 1 field day | | Work at a RCRA treatment, storage or disposal facility | [24 Hour RCRA TSD](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/courses/osha-24-hour-hazwoper-rcra-tsd-operations-training/) | | Already have 40 or 24 hour training | [8 Hour Refresher](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/courses/osha-8-hour-hazwoper-refresher-training/) every year | | Supervise hazardous waste operations | Initial training + [8 Hour Supervisor](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/courses/osha-8-hour-hazwoper-supervisor-training/) | | May discover a release and must call it in | [First Responder Awareness](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/courses/osha-4-hour-hazwoper-first-responder-awareness-level-training/) | | Work in California | [Cal/OSHA HAZWOPER](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/courses/cal-osha-40-hour-hazwoper-training/) (8 CCR 5192) | ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I take the 24 hour course instead of the 40 hour? Only if your duties match 1910.120(e)(3)(ii) or (iii): occasional work for a limited task, or regular work in monitored, characterized areas below exposure limits without respirators. If you may be exposed above limits or wear a respirator, you need 40 hours. ### Does 40 hour HAZWOPER include the 24 hour? Yes. Someone trained at the 40-hour level meets the 24-hour requirement as well. Both groups then take the same 8-hour annual refresher. ### Do I need the 3 days of field experience if I train online? Yes. The field experience is separate from the 40 hours of instruction and must be completed on site under a trained, experienced supervisor, usually arranged by your employer. 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. ## Get trained [OSHA 40 Hour HAZWOPER Training](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/courses/osha-40-hour-hazwoper-training/) 40 Hours · **$249.99** [OSHA 24 Hour HAZWOPER Training](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/courses/osha-24-hour-hazwoper-training/) 24 Hours · **$169.99** [OSHA 8 Hour HAZWOPER Refresher Training](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/courses/osha-8-hour-hazwoper-refresher-training/) 8 Hours · **$89.99** [OSHA 8 Hour HAZWOPER Supervisor Training](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/courses/osha-8-hour-hazwoper-supervisor-training/) 8 Hours · **$179.99** ## Test yourself 15 free questions with answers. [40 hour practice test](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/quizzes/hazwoper-40-hour-practice-test/) ## More HAZWOPER guides - [What Is HAZWOPER? The Complete Guide to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/guides/what-is-hazwoper/) · Guide · 4 min read - What HAZWOPER means, who it covers, the 40, 24 and 8 hour training levels, emergency response, medical surveillance and how to get... - [HAZWOPER 8 Hour Refresher Requirements: Deadlines, Lapses and Records](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/guides/hazwoper-refresher-requirements/) · Guide · 2 min read - OSHA requires 8 hours of HAZWOPER refresher training every year under 1910.120(e)(8). When it is due, what happens if it lapses, what it... - [How to Get HAZWOPER Certified Online (and How Long It Lasts)](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/guides/hazwoper-certification/) · Guide · 2 min read - Step-by-step guide to HAZWOPER certification: choosing a level, online training, field experience, certificates and wallet cards, how long... - [PPE Levels A, B, C and D Explained (EPA and OSHA HAZWOPER)](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/guides/ppe-levels-a-b-c-d/) · Guide · 2 min read - The four levels of HAZWOPER personal protective equipment: what Level A, B, C and D include, when to use each, and how to choose a level... - [HAZWOPER Decontamination Procedures: Decon Line Setup and Steps](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/guides/hazwoper-decontamination/) · Guide · 2 min read - How HAZWOPER decontamination works under 1910.120(k): decon methods, setting up the contamination reduction corridor, typical decon line... - [Site Control and Work Zones: Exclusion, Contamination Reduction and Support Zones](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/guides/site-control-work-zones/) · Guide · 2 min read - HAZWOPER site control under 1910.120(d): the site control program, hot, warm and cold work zones, the buddy system, access control points... --- Page: https://www.hazwoperosha.com/guides/which-hazwoper-course-do-i-need/ HazwoperOSHA.com: [Home](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/) · [Courses](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/#courses) · [About](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/about/) · [Contact](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/contact/) · [Privacy](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/privacy/) · [llms.txt](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/llms.txt) · [Sitemap](https://www.hazwoperosha.com/sitemap.xml) Questions: +1-866-429-6742 · sales@hazwoper-osha.com