Conducted in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(i), First responders at the awareness level are 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. First responders at the awareness level shall have sufficient training or have had sufficient experience to objectively demonstrate competency in the following areas:  

• Regulation Overview
• An understanding of hazardous substances, and the risks associated with them in an incident.
• An understanding of the potential outcomes associated with an emergency created when hazardous substances are present.
• The ability to recognize the presence of hazardous substances in an emergency.
• The ability to identify the hazardous substances, if possible.
• An understanding of the role of the first responder awareness individual in the employer's emergency response plan including site security and control and the U.S. Department of Transportation's Emergency Response Guidebook.
• The ability to realize the need for additional resources, and to make appropriate notifications to the communication center.

HAZWOPER is an acronym which stands for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. HAZWOPER training is covered under OSHA standard 29 CFR Part 1910.120.

Conducted in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(ii), First responders at the operations level are individuals who respond to releases or potential releases 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 safe distance, keep it from spreading, and prevent exposures. First responders at the operational level shall have received at least 8 hours of training  and demonstrate competency in the following areas in addition to those listed for the Awareness Level:

• Know how to select and use proper personal protective equipment
• An understanding of basic hazardous materials terms
• Know how to perform basic control, containment and/or confinement operations within the capabilities of the resources and personal protective equipment available.
• Know how to implement basic decontamination procedures
• An understanding of the relevant standard operating procedures and termination procedures

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. Hazardous materials technicians shall have received at least 24 hours of training equal to the first responder operations level and in addition have competency in the following areas in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(iii). Information is relayed through the use of colorful MS Power point slide show/lecture, videos, hands-on and group exercises.  Students will receive a bound program guide book, pen, highlighter, Emergency Response pocket sized Guide book (ERG) and other relevant handouts. 

• Regulation Overview
• Hazard recognition & Communication
• Respiratory Protection 
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Emergency Response Plan
• Site Control and containment techniques
• Decontamination
• Air monitoring equipment
• AHA first aid/CPR/ AED 

This refresher course will review topics and exercises addressed in the initial 40 hour program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.120 (e)(8). 

• Hazard Recognition & Hazard Communications
• Respiratory Protection
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Site Control & Decontamination
• Emergency Response
• Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) Review
• Other topics as time allows

This annual refresher course is of sufficient content and duration for the given level and will review topics and exercises addressed in the initial Emergency Response program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.120 (q)(8). 

• Hazard Recognition & Hazard Communications
• Respiratory Protection
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Site Control & Decontamination
• Emergency Response
• Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) Review
• Other topics as time allows

In this 40 hour program, students will gain basic knowledge for identifying hazards and protecting themselves, others and the environment from those hazards.  General site workers (such as equipment operators, general laborers and supervisory personnel) engaged in hazardous substance removal or other activities which expose or potentially expose workers to hazardous substances and health hazards shall receive a minimum of 40 hours of instruction in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.120(e)(3). Information is relayed through the use of colorful MS Power point slide show/lecture, videos, and hands-on and group exercises.  Students will receive a bound program guidebook, pen, highlighter, Emergency Response pocket sized Guide book (ERG) and other relevant handouts.

• Regulation Overview
• Hazard Recognition/Hazard Communications
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Respiratory Protection
• Portable Fire Extinguisher Safety
• Emergency Response & ERG
• Site Control & Decontamination
• Confined Space Entry
• American Heart Association (AHA) First Aid/CPR/AED
• Hazardous Waste Management
• Spill Exercises
• Other relevant topics shall time permit