HAZWOPER: Emergency Response Initial Training: Operations-Level Responders Curriculum Online Training Course

First responders at the operations level are individuals who respond to releases or potential releases of hazardous substances as part of the initial response effort for the purpose of protecting nearby persons, property, or the environment from the effects of the release. They are trained to respond in a defensive fashion without actually trying to stop the release. Their function is to contain the release from a safe distance, keep it from spreading, and prevent exposures.

To prepare for these duties, first responders at the operations level need to know about:

• Expected roles, tasks, and limitations;
• Their organization's Emergency Response Plan and how to activate it;
• Chemical hazards, properties, and dangers of an uncontrolled release;
• Basic hazardous materials terminology;
• Hazardous substance recognition and identification, along with hazard and risk assessment;
• When to notify the HAZMAT team;
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) selection;
• Basic control, containment, and confinement operations;
• Standard operating procedures; and
• Basic procedures for decontamination and terminating an emergency response operation.

There are six online courses included within the HAZWOPER: Emergency Response Initial Training: Operations-Level Responders Curriculum:

• HAZWOPER: Emergency Response Planning is designed to focus on what an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) is, the basic steps involved in an emergency response, employee roles in a response to a hazardous substance emergency release, and internal and external communications during an emergency.
• HAZWOPER: Chemical Fundamentals is designed to inform learners of how chemical-related terms are defined; the health and physical hazards, properties, stability, reactivity, and toxicity of chemicals; and the routes, symptoms, types, and effects of chemical exposure.
• HAZWOPER: Hazardous Substance Recognition & Identification is designed to teach learners the methods and resources available to help recognize and identify hazardous substances in an emergency, how to assess risk in an emergency, and make initial decisions in an emergency.
• HAZWOPER: Emergency & Post-Emergency Response Procedures is designed to expose learners to the steps used for notification, preparation, and response during emergency and post-emergency response operations.
• HAZWOPER: Personal Protective Equipment & Clothing is designed to inform learners of the different types of PPE and chemical protective clothing (CPC) including their uses and limitations, levels of protection, how to don and doff the equipment, and the importance of proper storage, inspection, and maintenance.
• HAZWOPER: HazCom, Hazmat, & Hazardous Waste is designed to cover the basics of OSHA Hazard Communication, DOT Hazardous Materials, and EPA Hazardous Waste regulations with the perspective of the hazardous waste cleanup site worker and emergency responder in mind. The HAZWOPER Standard, at its core, is about operations that involve the handling of hazardous substances, including hazardous chemicals, materials, and waste.

Intended Audience: Any employees who may be involved or expected to engage in:

1. Hazardous waste cleanup operations where the employee may be exposed to hazardous substances; or
2. A response to an occurrence which results, or is likely to result, in an uncontrolled release of a hazardous substance

Length: 6 hours

Copyright Date: 2018

Looking for different levels of emergency responders training? Visit the Hazwoper Training Page for Awareness-Level or Hazmat Technician-Level Responders Initial Training.

IMPORTANT NOTE: In OSHA’s view, HAZWOPER online training, by itself, is not sufficient to meet the intent of the agency’s training requirements for HAZWOPER, 29 CFR 1910.120 for general industry or 29 CFR 1926.65 for construction. Therefore, online training must be supplemented by site-specific elements, hands-on training and exercises, and an opportunity for trainees to ask questions of a qualified trainer. When using this course curriculum as a tool to help with training under §1910.120(q)(6)/§1926.65(q)(6), we suggest you:

• Ensure your trainer is qualified, in accordance with §1910.120(q)(7)/§1926.65(q)(7);
• Augment the online training with site-specific elements;
• Tailor your training to the employees’ assigned duties;
• Include hands-on training to familiarize trainees with equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), and safe practices;
• Provide trainees with immediate and direct access to a qualified trainer as they are taking the course;
• Offer an opportunity for trainees to ask questions of the qualified trainer;
• Ensure all training elements listed in the regulation are covered;
• Meet the training duration requirement under §1910.120(q)(6)/§1926.65(q)(6) (NOTE: This online training course curriculum is not intended to fill the training duration requirement of 8 hours, and it is anticipated the remaining duration will be filled with the items in the bullets above); and
• Ensure the employer certifies the trainee has met the training requirements in accordance with §1910.120(q)(6)/§1926.65(q)(6) (NOTE: This online training course curriculum does not provide HAZWOPER certification; the online course curriculum certificate only acknowledges the completion of the online training itself).