Posted on: June 21, 2022
In the world of safety compliance training, there are a lot of HAZes: HAZWOPER, HAZMAT, HazCom. It's easy to mix them up, especially since none of the names give obvious hints about the content. All three are required training related to dangerous materials, but they target different audiences and safety measures. So, exactly what is the difference between HazCom, HAZWOPER, and HAZMAT?
In the world of safety compliance training, there are a lot of HAZes: HAZWOPER, HAZMAT, HazCom. It's easy to mix them up, especially since none of the names give obvious hints about the content.
All three are required training related to dangerous materials, but they target different audiences and safety measures.
So, exactly what is the difference between HazCom, HAZWOPER, and HAZMAT?
Out of all three HAZes, HazCom training is probably the most common. It's required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for anyone exposed to hazardous chemicals under normal working conditions.
HazCom stands for the Hazardous Communication Standard (HCS).
There's more to HCS than training , including requirements for hazard classification, standardized labeling, in-depth Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), and a written hazard communication program.
But training workers is an important part.
HazCom requires workers to be trained if they'll be exposed to chemical hazards during the course of their normal duties. They need to learn about the HCS, and they must be trained to recognize chemical hazards, understand HazCom labels, and how to protect themselves.
As an OSHA-authorized provider, we offer online HCS/GHS training . We can even supply you with posters and other useful job aids to ensure that workers can use HCS labels and SDS packets correctly in a crisis.
OSHA's HazCom standard covers a lot of different hazards , as we've discussed in the past. That includes chemicals with physical hazards (like explosives), health hazards, combustible dust, asphyxiants, and more.
HAZWOPER is another OSHA standard, designed specifically for workers who clean up, treat, store, and dispose of hazardous waste.
The HAZWOPER acronym stands for HAZardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response.
OSHA only requires HAZWOPER training for three categories of workers and their supervisors:
Even uncontrolled hazardous waste sites and TSD facilities have some workers who might not need HAZWOPER training. If the employer can demonstrate that their exposure isn't a "reasonable possibility," jobs like gate guard qualify as exempt.
$20.00
