Many of the chemicals and solvents used in manufacturing products today are considered hazardous. To ensure that these materials are handled properly, training is required to teach employers and employees important hazardous waste handling skills. The Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HAZWOPER) training was created to accomplish this task.

If you are wondering whether you need to enroll in a HAZWOPER training in the near future, here are three types of employees who require HAZWOPER training to do their jobs safely.

1. Employees who are involved in the cleaning of hazardous waste sites.

A variety of cleaning methods are used to keep hazardous waste sites safe. If your job duties require you to participate in cleaning activities like air stripping, capping, or incineration, a HAZWOPER class will help you learn to complete the tasks associated with your job safely.

Be sure to ask your employer if they sponsor any training courses, otherwise you will have to find a training agency that conducts private courses in order to receive the instruction you need to clean up hazardous waste sites in the future.

2. Employees working in facilities that are subject to RCRA regulations.

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA) established strict regulations for facilities that generate hazardous waste. While the regulations aren't industry specific, they do apply to any entity that is involved in the creation or destruction of materials that could be classified as hazardous.

In order to comply with these regulations, employees working in facilities subject to RCRA statutes must have HAZWOPER training. If you aren't sure whether your facility adheres to RCRA standards, you can consult with your supervisor or a human resources representative.

3. Employees working for agencies that respond to hazardous waste spills.

When hazardous waste leaks occur, dangerous substances can spill out into the surrounding environment. If you wish to work for an agency that provides emergency response services to calls of hazardous waste spills, it is essential for you to engage in HAZWOPER training.

The training course will allow you to master the skills required to handle hazardous waste when you respond to emergency calls in the future.

Since dealing with hazardous waste on a regular basis poses a risk not only to you but to the public, it's essential that you have the training necessary to safely handle hazardous materials. If you plan to work on the cleaning crew at a hazardous waste facility, at an RCRA facility, or as an emergency responder, it's smart to invest in HAZWOPER training. Contact an establishment like National Environmental Trainers to get started.