Clandestine Laboratory Clean-up (40-Hour HAZWOPER)

Description

Clandestine Lab Response Just Got Smarter: One Course, Dual Certification

40-Hour Clandestine Laboratory Training Now Includes OSHA HAZWOPER Worker Certification

Our 40-Hour Clandestine Laboratory Training Course is uniquely designed to meet the needs of responders in law enforcement, environmental cleanup, and hazardous materials handling—and it now fulfills all requirements for the OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response) Worker certification.

That means one intensive course provides two essential qualifications.

The Clandestine Laboratory Cleanup Course has been specifically designed not only for those in the industry wishing to up-skill, diversify and offer new services to loyal clients or within new income streams, it is also designed for those starting out in the remediation or cleaning industries to develop the skills they need to start their business. 

​The 40-hour curriculum meets all federal OSHA 1910.120 requirements for HAZWOPER certification while delivering specialized instruction on:

• Identification and processing of clandestine labs (methamphetamine, fentanyl, synthetic drugs)

• Site safety plans, personal protective equipment (PPE), and decontamination procedures

• Chemical hazards specific to drug labs

• Scene documentation and evidence preservation

• Air monitoring, surface testing, ventilation, and entry protocols

• Waste handling, packaging, and regulatory compliance

Taught by experienced hazmat responders and subject-matter experts, the course features a mix of classroom instruction, hands-on exercises, and scenario-based training.

Target Audience

This combined training is ideal for:

• Law enforcement officers working in narcotics or special investigations

• Environmental contractors involved in remediation or disposal of clandestine lab sites

• Public health or emergency response personnel

• Industrial hygienists and safety consultants

• Firefighters or hazmat team members

Course Outline

Topics covered will include:

• Methamphetamine & Fentanyl Background
• Production of Methamphetamine & Fentanyl
• Hazards of Clandestine Lab Remediation
• Hazard Communications Plans
• Intro to Confined Spaces
• Lockout/Tagout
• Bloodborne Pathogens
• Injury Reporting
• PPE and Respiratory Protection
• Equipment Needed
• Hazard Assessment
• Contamination Sampling
• Lab Reports
• Waste Characterization
• Disposal
• Final Report
• Clearance

Outcomes

The Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HAZWOPER) applies to five distinct groups of employers and their employees. This includes any employees who are exposed or potentially exposed to hazardous substances -- including hazardous waste -- and who are engaged in one of the following operations as specified by 1910.120(a)(1)(i-v) and 1926.65(a)(1)(i-v):

• clean-up operations -- required by a governmental body, whether federal, state, local, or other involving hazardous substances -- that are conducted at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites;
• corrective actions involving clean-up operations at sites covered by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA) as amended (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.);
• voluntary clean-up operations at sites recognized by federal, state, local, or other governmental body as uncontrolled hazardous waste sites;
• operations involving hazardous wastes that are conducted at treatment, storage, and disposal facilities regulated by Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 264 and 265 pursuant to RCRA, or by agencies under agreement with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to implement RCRA regulations; and
• emergency response operations for releases of, or substantial threats of releases of, hazardous substances regardless of the location of the hazard.

Additional information regarding the OSHA requirements can be found here:  OSHA HAZWOPER FAQS

HAZWOPER Levels

There are three levels of HAZWOPER training as listed in 29 CFR Part 1910.120. Within these three levels, there are various job functions and training requirements.

Level 1. Emergency Response

• First Responder Awareness - Initial: Competancy / Annual: Competancy
• First Responder Operations - Initial: 8hrs / Annual: Competancy
• HAZMAT Technician - Initial: 24hrs / Annual: Competancy
• HAZMAT Specialist - Initial: 24hrs / Annual: Competancy
• Incident Commander - Initial: 24hrs / Annual: Competancy

Level 2. Cleanup of Contaminated Hazardous Waste Sites

• 40 hour HAZWOPER Site Worker - Initial: 40hrs / Annual: 8hrs
• 24 hour (Occasional) HAZWOPER Site Worker - Initial: 24hrs / Annual: 8hrs
• HAZWOPER Supervisor - Initial: 40hrs + 8hrs Supervisor / Annual: 8hrs

Level 3. Treatment, Storage, and Disposal (TSD) of Hazardous Waste

• 24 hour (Occasional) HAZWOPER Site Worker - Initial: 24hrs / Annual: 8hrs

This is a level 2 course

Prerequisites

None but all workers must receive at least three days of supervised field experience in order to meet OSHA requirements.