Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response

Lifers Leaving a Legacy (Lifers) is offering HAZWOPER Training to prepare community members for environmental work that may involve exposure to hazardous conditions. This training equips participants with the awareness, skills, and safety mindset needed to operate responsibly during clean-ups, restoration projects, and environmental response activities.

This curriculum provides an OSHA‑compliant HAZWOPER initial training in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.120(e). It is designed for workers engaged in hazardous-substance operations, including site characterization, cleanup, emergency response, and remediation.

The Lifers HAZWOPER curriculum centers on community protection, worker empowerment, and practical hazard recognition—bridging regulatory compliance with real‑world conditions in frontline environments.

Program Overview

Training Format

This program is delivered through a hybrid learning experience:

• Self-paced online instruction to complete the required coursework

• In-person, hands-on training on March 21st and 28th, 2026, integrated with Lifers Community Clean-Ups

The in-person component focuses on applying safety concepts in real environments, reinforcing best practices through guided field-based learning.

Module One: Introduction to HAZWOPER and Worker Rights

Learning Objectives: - Understand the purpose and scope of HAZWOPER - Identify worker rights and employer responsibilities - Recognize the role of Lifers in advancing community protection

Topics Covered: - History of hazardous waste regulation - Overview of 29 CFR 1910.120 - Worker rights under OSHA - Right‑to‑Know and Hazard Communication

• Introduction to HAZWOPER

• Worker Rights

Module Two: Hazard Recognition and Toxicology

Learning Objectives: - Identify chemical, physical, biological, and radiological hazards - Understand routes of exposure and health effects

Topics Covered: - Types of hazardous substances - Acute vs. chronic exposure - Dose‑response relationships - Safety Data Sheets (SDS) - Exposure limits (PEL, TLV, REL)

• Hazard Recognition

• Toxicology: Understand Routes of Exposure and Health Effects

• Dose-response. Safety Data Sheets. Exposure Limits

Module Three: Site Characterization and Analysis

Learning Objectives: - Conduct basic site assessments - Identify hazards before entry

Topics Covered: - Preliminary site evaluation - Hazard mapping - Site control zones (Exclusion, Contamination Reduction, Support) - Monitoring equipment overview

• Site Characterization and Analysis

Module Four: Engineering Controls, Work Practices, and Decontamination

Learning Objectives: - Apply controls to reduce exposure - Understand decontamination procedures

Topics Covered: - Engineering vs. administrative controls - Safe work practices - Decontamination corridors - Waste handling and disposal basics

• Engineering Controls

• Safe Workplace Practices

• Decontamination

Module Five: PPE and

Lifers believes environmental protection starts with prepared people. Offering this training helps ensure that community members are not only involved in clean-up efforts but are doing so with the knowledge and protection they deserve.

This program supports:

• Safer community-led environmental work

• Skill-building that translates into employment opportunities

• Increased confidence in high-responsibility environments

• Stronger, healthier neighborhoods through informed action

This free training is made possible from the generous support of our funding partner

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