HAZWOPER Training:
Emergency Response Initial: Awareness-Level Responders

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.

Awareness-level responders need to know exactly what their roles are, including the tasks they are expected to perform and the limitations they need to adhere to. Awareness-level responders should be familiar with their organization's Emergency Response Plan and how to activate it.

Awareness-level responders need to understand chemical hazards and properties and know that uncontrolled releases pose real dangers including illness, injury, and fatality. They should be able to immediately recognize the need for additional resources and notify the HAZMAT team as soon as possible so the team can bring the event under control.

If awareness-level responders know how to recognize the presence of a hazardous substance in a release situation and how to quickly identify that substance, they will jump-start the subsequent efforts of the HAZMAT team. This helps to avoid panic and to prevent casualties and minimize damage.

HAZWOPER Emergency Response Initial Training: Awareness-Level Responders Curriculum

There are three online courses included within the HAZWOPER: Emergency Response Initial Training: Awareness-Level Responders curriculum:

HAZWOPER: Emergency Response Planning

Designed to focus on what an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) is, the basic steps involved in an emergency response, employee roles in a response to a hazardous substance emergency release, and internal and external communications during an emergency.

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Chemical Fundamentals

Designed to inform learners of how chemical-related terms are defined; the health and physical hazards, properties, stability, reactivity, and toxicity of chemicals; and the routes, symptoms, types, and effects of chemical exposure.

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Hazardous Substance Recognition & Identification

Designed to teach learners the methods and resources available to help recognize and identify hazardous substances in an emergency, how to assess risk in an emergency, and make initial decisions in an emergency.

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Intended Audience: Any employees who may be involved or expected to engage in:

1. Hazardous waste cleanup operations where the employee may be exposed to hazardous substances; or
2. A response to an occurrence which results, or is likely to result, in an uncontrolled release of a hazardous substance

Copyright Date: 2018

NOTE: In OSHA's view, HAZWOPER online training, by itself, is not sufficient to meet the intent of the agency's training requirements for HAZWOPER, 29 CFR 1910.120 for general industry or 29 CFR 1926.65 for construction. Therefore, online training must be supplemented by site-specific elements, hands-on training and exercises, and an opportunity for trainees to ask questions of a qualified trainer. When using this course curriculum as a tool to help with training under 1910.120(q)(6)/1926.65(q)(6), we suggest you:

• Ensure your trainer is qualified, in accordance with 1910.120(q)(7)/1926.65(q)(7);
• Augment the online training with site-specific elements;
• Tailor your training to the employees' assigned duties;
• Include hands-on training to familiarize trainees with equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), and safe practices;
• Provide trainees with immediate and direct access to a qualified trainer as they are taking the course;
• Offer an opportunity for trainees to ask questions of the qualified trainer;
• Ensure all training elements listed in the regulation are covered; and
• Ensure the employer certifies the trainee has met the training requirements in accordance with 1910.120(q)(6)/1926.65(q)(6). (NOTE: The online training does not provide HAZWOPER certification; the online course certificate only acknowledges the completion of the online training itself.)