Haz Mat Operational Refresher

[chiefbpfd 41]

Is Haz Mat operational refresher required every year and how many hours is the refresher

[Guest alsfirefighter]

Is Haz Mat operational refresher required every year and how many hours is the refresher

OSHA requires for emergency responders 8 hours of refresher training annually.

You can find the standard: OSHA 1910.120 Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response.

OSHA 1910.120

[Bnechis 3,961]

OSHA requires for emergency responders 8 hours of refresher training annually.

The 8 hour requirement for OSHA training is a NYS PESH Directive for "fire Brigades" the hazmat refresher standard does not give time, as much time as needed to prove competency.

Refresher training.

1910.120(q)(8)(i)

Those employees who are trained in accordance with paragraph (q)(6) of this section shall receive annual refresher training of sufficient content and duration to maintain their competencies, or shall demonstrate competency in those areas at least yearly.

[khas143 13]

The 8 hour requirement for OSHA training is a NYS PESH Directive for "fire Brigades" the hazmat refresher standard does not give time, as much time as needed to prove competency.

Refresher training.

1910.120(q)(8)(i)

Those employees who are trained in accordance with paragraph (q)(6) of this section shall receive annual refresher training of sufficient content and duration to maintain their competencies, or shall demonstrate competency in those areas at least yearly.

IMHO, 8 hours per year is not nearly enough in-service training for a hazmat tech. 8 hours per quarter if not more and I mean 8 hours in an actual hazmat scenario, not classroom. In a perfect world, my opinion would be 8 hours per month but lets face it, we don't live in a perfect world.

[SageVigiles 1,194]

Chief! Glad to see you finally posting on here!

KHas, we're not talking about HAZMAT Techs though, we're talking about Operational people.

An excerpt from the OSHA 1910.120, the Hazardous Waste Operations Standard:

1910.120(q)(8)

Refresher training.

1910.120(q)(8)(i)

Those employees who are trained in accordance with paragraph (q)(6) of this section shall receive annual refresher training of sufficient content and duration to maintain their competencies, or shall demonstrate competency in those areas at least yearly.

1910.120(q)(8)(ii)

A statement shall be made of the training or competency, and if a statement of competency is made, the employer shall keep a record of the methodology used to demonstrate competency.

[Note: The paragraph referenced Includes Awareness, Operational, Technician, Specialist, On-Scene Incident Commander and Trainer]

So OSHA does not really define a time-constraint for refresher training, only that it is "of sufficient content and duration to maintain their competencies, or shall demonstrate competency in those areas at least yearly" I'm not a lawyer, but I've taken enough law/OSHA classes to be able to translate. Sounds like it means its up to the individual department to decide the time required, or the employee can demonstrate (read: be tested) in the areas of competency every year. The key is that it must be DOCUMENTED by the department. Not sure if NFPA 472 says anything about refresher training. I'll look it up and post what I find.

UPDATE: Searched NFPA 471 "Recommended Practice for Responding to Hazardous Materials Incidents" and NFPA 472 "Standard for Professional Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials Incidents" neither one even USED the words "refresh" or "refresher." So no guidance there.

[Guest alsfirefighter]

I do stand corrected and apologize, I mis-read the section I read and thank Barry for reminding me of the verbage of the standard. I apologize for any confusion I may have caused..wasn't my intent.

[ohbdow1 6]

See if this helps...

OSHA & OFPC on HZMT.pdf