A: It is a federal government occupational safety and health standard (1910.120) pertaining to hazardous waste operations and emergency response. Among other provisions, it requires employers to develop and implement a health and safety program that includes proper training for all employees who may be exposed to worksite or emergency response hazardous materials. The training requirement includes a preliminary 40-hour HAZWOPER training course, as well as annual 8-hour refresher training. You can get a great deal more information on HAZWOPER on the OSHA website:
http://www.osha.gov/html/faq-hazwoper.html
Return to topA: The HAZWOPER standard requires annual training recertification to refresh employee awareness and understanding of safety practices, and to ensure that they have any new information they need to remain safe on the job.
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A: The HAZWOPER standard applies to five distinct groups of employers and their employees. This includes any employees who are exposed or potentially exposed to hazardous substances -- including hazardous waste -- and who are engaged in one of the following operations as specified by 1910.120(a)(1)(i-v) and 1926.65(a)(1)(i-v). If you are in any of the groups described below, you should received HAZWOPER training; if you have any questions, you should speak to your supervisor or Human Resources department. The five categories of employees who need training are those involved in:
- clean-up operations — required by a governmental body, whether federal, state, local, or other involving hazardous substances — that are conducted at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites;
- corrective actions involving clean-up operations at sites covered by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA) as amended (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.);
- voluntary clean-up operations at sites recognized by federal, state, local, or other governmental body as uncontrolled hazardous waste sites;
- operations involving hazardous wastes that are conducted at treatment, storage, and disposal facilities regulated by Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 264 and 265 pursuant to RCRA, or by agencies under agreement with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to implement RCRA regulations; and
- emergency response operations for releases of, or substantial threats of releases of, hazardous substances regardless of the location of the hazard.
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A: If you have never completed the full 40-Hour Course, you must take it, and not the 8-Hour Refresher. If you completed the 40-Hour Course within the past 12 months, you can take the 8-Hour Course. If it has been more than 12 months since you completed the 40-Hour Course, the decision on which course to take should be based on your familiarity with safety and health procedures used on site – and you should take the refresher course as soon as possible, if you chose that instead of the 40-Hour course. Also, per OSHA, "There should be a record in the employee's file indicating why the training has been delayed and when the training will be completed."
Return to topA: Per OSHA, the need to repeat initial training must be determined based on the employee's familiarity with safety and health procedures used on site. The employee should take the next available refresher training course. "There should be a record in the employee's file indicating why the training has been delayed and when the training will be completed."
Return to topA: Yes. SoBran's training program is designed to let students work at their own pace. OSHA has stated that "Refresher training may be given in segments so long as the required 8 hours have been completed by the employee's anniversary date."
Return to topA: You have within 12 months of registering to take the course to complete the course.
Return to topA: Yes. OSHA has stated, "Computer-based training may meet some refresher training requirements, provided that it covers topics relevant to workers' assigned duties. It must be supplemented by the opportunity to ask questions of a qualified trainer and by an assessment of hands-on performance of work tasks."
Return to topA: OSHA has not established specific requirements, but provides the following guidance: "The "Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response" standard (HAZWOPER), 29 CFR 1910.120, states in paragraph (e)(5) that "Trainers shall be qualified to instruct employees about the subject matter that is being presented in training". In addition, 29 CFR 1910.120(e)(5) explains that the qualifications of the instructors may be shown by academic degrees, completed training courses and/or work experience. At this time, OSHA does not have any specific requirements to certify an instructor. The subjects that trainers should be able to convey to employees at hazardous waste operations who need training are summarized in paragraphs (e), (p) and (q) of the HAZWOPER standard."
Return to topA: They must complete the entire 8-hour course in order to be certified.
Return to topA: The employer must do an assessment of hands-on performance of work tasks, and the trainee must have the opportunity to ask questions of a qualified trainer. So long as those conditions are met, the online curriculum is sufficient for recertification.
Return to topA: If you have questions about the training, you can call our toll-free help desk
1.800.720.6849 for assistance in English or Spanish, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday.
Return to topA: Each module in the program lasts for about one hour, but you can stop during a module and complete it later.
Return to topA: 75% is the passing score for the HAZWOPER course.
Return to topA: If you fail the HAZWOPER course the first time you will be able to take the course again at no extra charge. If you fail the HAZWOPER course the second time then you/your company will have to pay for the course.
Return to topA: Original certificates will be mailed to the Safety Managers (place of business) who successfully complete the course. For a copy of additional certificates, please contact the Support/Help at 1.800.720.6849.
Return to topA: Each approach has its own benefits. Online training offers flexibility, allowing students to train at their own pace and when it’s convenient for them. This means that they don’t need to miss work, or spend time or money traveling. SoBran’s online training program includes convenient training record management, which makes it easy and fast to determine if all students have completed training, or assess their progress through the course. Our program also provides convenient reminders when it is time to renew certification.
Return to topA: You can pay online, using our convenient check-out, with a credit card (Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Discover, or Purchase Card*) and if you are a corporate client that is signing up multiple students, you can also pay with a credit card or issue a purchase order and pay by check within 30 days.
*Purchase Card is only for Federal Government Employees
A: You can keep your license for another student or, if you prefer, call the Support/Help at 1.800.720.6849 and we will credit you for purchasing a license which is remediable for a year from the date of purchase.
Return to topA: No a personal identification is not necessary for you to take the course.
Return to topA: You can cancel your online training within one month of registration or before you begin Module 3: Health and Safety Planning.
Return to topA: Yes, you can get a copy of your certificate if you no longer work for the company that paid for your course, but SoBranTraining.com keeps all student training records for only 3 years after you have taken the course. Please contact Support/Help at 1.800.720.6849 to find out how to receive a copy of your certificate.
Return to topA: To set up a corporate account, please call the Support/Help at 1.800.720.6849.
Return to topA: Yes. To learn more about our bulk pricing discounts, please call the Support/Help at 1.800.720.6849.
Return to topA: Currently, our help desk is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday-Friday.
Return to topA: John Frye is our on-staff authorized outreach instructor for the HAZWOPER 8-Hour Refresher Training Course. He can be reached at 412.826.5480 ex.228 or
JFrye@csc-inc.cc
Return to topA: In order to take a course, you need to have a username and password. When you register for courses, you will create a username and password for yourself. If you'd like to take a course, go to
www.sobrantraining.com and select the red box Register Online/sign-up for courses.
Return to topA: If you have forgotten your password, go to
www.sobrantraining.com and under Register Online/sign-up click on the "forgot your password?". Then enter your email address. You should receive an email to your email address stating your password. You may also contact the Support/Help at 1.800.720.6849.
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