Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response

The dumping of hazardous substances poses a significant threat to
the environment. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA)
Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) data show that over 18 million tons of
hazardous substances covered by TRI were disposed of or released
into the environment from 1998 through 2004.1 Hazardous substances
are a serious safety and health problem that continues to
endanger human and animal life and environmental quality. Discarded
hazardous substances that are toxic, flammable, or corrosive
can cause fires, explosions, and pollution of air, water, and
land. Unless hazardous substances are properly treated, stored, or
disposed of, they will continue to do great harm to living things that
contact them, now and in the future.

This booklet provides an overview of the HAZWOPER requirements
for each type of work operation and explains each section
separately to provide a clearer understanding of the standard.
Having this understanding enables employers to protect the health
and safety of their employees in these different environments.