“HAZWOPER” stands for HAZardous Waste OPerations and Emergency Response. The requirement for HAZWOPER training is in the OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1910.120. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) was passed in 1976. The Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) was passed in 1980.
The Hazardous Waste and Solid Waste Amendments were passed in 1984. From CERCLA came the Superfund Amendments and Re-authorization Act (SARA) of 1986. Regulations were developed by OSHA and EPA to develop and implement the requirements discussed in the acts. The final rules were published in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). This training will focus mostly on the requirements as stated in 29 CFR 1910.120 and 29 CFR 1910.1200. Several sections of 29 CFR 1910 (Occupational Safety and Health Standards) and 1926 (Safety and Health Regulations for Construction) are relevant to the work in the field. Much of this training will be referring to requirements in these sections.