Hazardous Materials Training Topics

HAZWOPER - Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response

Awareness Level 29 CFR 1910.120; NFPA 472
OSHA defines First responders at the Awareness level as individuals who are likely to witness or discover a hazardous substance release and who have been trained to initiate an emergency response sequence by notifying the proper authorities of the release. They would take no further action beyond notifying the authorities of the release. The objectives for this course include:

An understanding of hazardous substances and their associated risks; Potential outcomes of a release of hazardous substances; Recognition of hazardous substances in a release; Initial and safe identification of hazardous substances and outcomes (i.e. Emergency Response Guidebook and Material Safety Data Sheets); Understanding of the roles and limitations of an Awareness level responder; and realization of further response resources and proper notifications.

Operations Level 29 CFR 1910.120; NFPA 472
First responders at the operations level are individuals who respond to releases or potential release of hazardous substances as part of the initial response to the site 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. In addition to criteria listed in the Awareness level, Operations level training will include:

Basic hazard and risk assessment techniques; Use of Personal Protective Equipment; Basic hazardous material terms; Knowledge of basic control, containment and/or confinement operations within the capabilities of the resources and PPE available; Basic decontamination; Understanding of contingency plans, and standard operating procedures and event termination protocols.


Hazardous Material Technician Level 29 CFR 1910.120; NFPA 472
Hazardous materials technicians are individuals who respond to releases or potential releases for the purpose of stopping the release. They assume a more aggressive role than a first responder at the operations level in that they will approach the point of release in order to plug, patch or otherwise stop the release of a hazardous substance. In addition to items included in Awareness and Operations levels the Technician will:

Know how to implement applicable Emergency Response Action Plans (ERAP); Classify, identify and verify known and unknown substances utilizing field survey instruments, Be able to function in an Incident Command System (ICS); Select and utilize correct Personal Protective Equipment; Understand and implement decontamination procedures; Understand and termination procedures; and be    knowledgeable on basic chemical and toxicological terminology and behaviors.

Basic Decontamination – Site Specific
This course is written and delivered for site specific conditions at a fixed facility. Examples of a fixed facility include hospitals, law enforcement centers, schools, public buildings, and private industry. The course will cover specific decon settings at a fixed site and is not intended for mobile or field applications.

Basic Decontamination Refresher
This course is written and delivered as a refresher class for responders that have completed Operations/Technician level training.

Personal Protective Equipment – Equipment Specific
This course is written and developed to train participants on specific equipment that is currently assigned to them. This course is not designed for Operational level responders who need training in many different types of PPE. The course will cover proper use of specific equipment, including respiratory equipment and level C personal protective equipment.

Note: All participants in this course MUST also complete the Basic Decontamination – Site Specific course.

Personal Protective Gear Refresher
This course is written and delivered as a refresher class for responders that have completed Operations/Technician level training.

Confined Space Awareness for Hazardous Materials Response
This course is designed to meet the OSHA Awareness level training requirements for response to a confined space incident involving hazardous materials.

The presentation will include regulations guiding confined space work and response, equipment needs for confined space work and response, and guidelines for responding to a confined space incident.


Please contact us for further information and pricing on any of these courses.

Daniel Dahl
President, Principal Instructor
Midwest Training Associates, LLC
507-530-1115
Dan@mwtrain.com