You need HAZWOPER refresher training every year.
Specifically, OSHA’s HAZWOPER standard (29 CFR 1910.120) mandates that employees who have completed either the 24-hour or 40-hour initial HAZWOPER training, as well as supervisors, must receive 8 hours of refresher training each year.
Key points to remember:
- Annual requirement: You must complete the refresher training within 12 months of the anniversary date of your previous HAZWOPER training.
- Maintain competency: The purpose of the refresher training is to ensure workers maintain their competencies and stay up to date on safety practices related to operations involving hazardous substances.
- Demonstrate competency: OSHA’s regulation requires employees to complete refresher training of sufficient content to maintain and demonstrate competency annually. This means that while 8 hours is the common and expected duration, the core requirement is to maintain competency, and the employer must document how that competency is demonstrated if not through an 8-hour course.
- Emergency responders: For emergency responders, the standard specifies that refresher training should be of “sufficient content and duration to maintain their competencies,” and does not necessarily mandate a full 8 hours if less time is sufficient for their specific response level. However, many employers still opt for 8-hour refreshers as a best practice.
How Do You Take the HAZWOPER Refresher Training?
You take the HAZWOPER refresher training either online or in a classroom setting. Many accredited providers, including Hazmat School, offer convenient online courses that allow you to study at your own pace and schedule. Your employer may also arrange in-person sessions for groups or on-site teams.
How Long Does the Refresher Training Take?
Refresh training takes 8 hours. Some training formats allow you to finish the content over several days, while others may be completed in a single day, depending on your schedule and training provider.
Hazmat School’s 8-hour HAZWOPER refresher is fully online and self-paced, so you can log in whenever it’s convenient and complete modules at your own speed. This flexibility makes it easy to fit your annual training requirement around your work and personal commitments. Once you pass the final exam, you can immediately download your certificate and get back to work with up-to-date HAZWOPER credentials.
Who Needs HAZWOPER Refresher Training?
Those who need HAZWOPER refresher training include general site workers at hazardous waste sites, emergency responders and cleanup crews, supervisors or managers. The requirement applies to anyone who previously completed the 24-hour or 40-hour initial HAZWOPER training and continues to work in an environment where hazardous substances are present. Even if a worker’s role changes, they must maintain current refresher training as long as they are exposed to hazardous materials or participate in emergency response activities.
What Does the HAZWOPER Refresher Training Cover?
The HAZWOPER refresher training covers essential topics like hazard recognition, PPE use, decontamination procedures, emergency response protocols, regulation updates and recent incidents. The curriculum reinforces critical safety knowledge and addresses real-world hazards that workers might face on the job.
- Hazard recognition and risk assessment: Training reviews how to identify chemical, biological and physical hazards in the work environment. It reinforces techniques for assessing risk and controlling exposure to ensure safe operations.
- Use of personal protective equipment (PPE): Workers revisit how to select, use and maintain PPE appropriate for different hazardous materials and situations. This includes respirators, gloves, suits and eye protection, emphasizing proper fit and inspection.
- Decontamination procedures: The course outlines standard processes for decontaminating equipment and personnel, helping to prevent contamination spread and protect work health during and after operations.
- Emergency response protocols: Refresher training ensures all workers are up to date on response plans for spills, leaks, fires or other hazardous situations. This includes evacuation procedures, communication methods and safe incident management.
- Updates to regulations and site safety plans: Employees review the latest OSHA and EPA standards, as well as any changes to their company’s site-specific safety plans or operating procedures.
- Recent incidents or lessons learned: The training incorporates case studies and analysis of recent on-the-job incidents, so workers can learn from real events and apply the lessons to their daily routines.
What happens if you miss the HAZWOPER refresher?
If you miss the HAZWOPER refresher deadline, your HAZWOPER certification may expire. In such cases, your employer must evaluate whether you need to repeat the initial 24-hour or 40-hour training, or if completing the next available 8-hour refresher is sufficient. The decision often depends on the duration of the lapse and the employee’s continued familiarity with safety procedures.
Complete Your Refresher Training With Hazmat School
Don’t compromise on safety or compliance. Hazmat School courses are flexible, OSHA-compliant and designed to keep you and your team ready for any hazardous situation. Invest in your continued education with our online 8-hour HAZWOPER Refresher Training course today!
Manages Hazmat School’s E-Learning courses and blog. Kirstie has extensive experience in the online training and education industry. Kirstie has worked with courses that offer a variety of safety and environmental certifications that satisfy OSHA, EPA and DOT requirements.
