Question: It has been over a year since I have had an Annual 8-hour HAZWOP Refresher, is my certificate still valid?

Answer: Cal OSHA requires individuals who have completed an initial 24- or 40-hour HAZWOP course to comply with Title 8 CCR 5192(e)(3)(A,B,C) and to complete a 8-hour Refresher course within one year from the date of the original certificate or within one-year from the date of the refresher certificate. However Cal OSHA does grant a one-year grace period for individuals who fail to receive an 8-hour Refresher course within a year from the date on the original certificate or the date on the refresher certificate, but during this one year grace period individuals are not permitted to work at a hazardous waste site. If a individual fails to complete a 8-hour Refresher course within two years of the date on the original certificate or the date on the refresher certificate they will be required to repeat the initial 24-or 40-hour HAZWOP training program

Question: If I have received OSHA 40-hour HAZWOP training am I certified as an emergency responder under OSHA?

Answer: The OSHA 40-hour HAZWOP training is specifically for general site workers who work at hazardous waste sites, and does not qualify personnel as emergency responders. It’s the “HAZWOP” in HAZWOPER (hazardous waste operations and emergency response). OSHA has a different set of training requirements for emergency responders outlined in Title 8 CCR 5192(q) as opposed to the training requirements for general site workers found in Title 8 CCR 5192(e). (i.e. the “ER” in HAZWOPER) Training that is required is based on the role that personnel will take in response to a release and consist of five different levels of training: 1) First Responder Awareness (responsible for notification of the release to the proper authorities), 2) First Responder Operations (take defensive measures to protect people, property, and the environment), 3) Hazardous Materials Technician (will contain and stop the release), 4) Hazardous Materials Specialist (support HazMat Techs and have specific knowledge of material they are handling), 5) Incident Commanders (assume control of the incident scene).

Question: If I have been issued a respirator by my employer, but am only required to wear it occasionally do I still need an annual fit test?

Answer: Yes. Per Title 8 CCR 5144(f)(2) employers must ensure that employees using respirators are fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator, whenever a different respirator is used by the employee, and at least yearly thereafter.

Question: Are all employees who work at a hazardous waste site required to receive HAZWOP training?

Answer: No. Employees who work at a hazardous waste site but 1) work exclusively within uncontaminated areas of the hazardous waste site, 2) do not enter areas where hazardous waste may exist, stored or processed, or 3) not exposed or potentially exposed to health or safety hazards related to hazardous waste operations are not required to be trained under the HAZWOP training standards found in Title 8 CCR 5192(e)(3)(A,B,C).