Hazardous materials training, also known as hazmat training, is any type of instruction aimed at preparing someone to handle and dispose of hazardous materials safely. Depending on the materials covered, this type of training can be provided by a company for its employees, or by an outside group or even a government agency. Hazardous materials training is usually included as part of new employee orientation in any workplace in the United States (US) that uses materials that have been deemed potentially hazardous. Other hazmat programs are frequently offered to people who work in environments where they may come into contact with hazardous materials, such as emergency responders and military personnel.
Hazardous materials are defined by most companies and government agencies as any materials that can be potentially dangerous to a person when exposed directly. Items that irritate the skin, cause harm if exposed to the eyes, may be poisonous if ingested, and even substances that produce vapors that are toxic if inhaled fall into this category. Proper hazmat training is usually required to ensure that a person or employee who comes into contact with these items knows how to handle them in a way that is safe for them and those around them.
Some retail companies may offer hazmat training, which is designed to deal with specific materials sold in stores. In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the US Department of Labor is usually in charge of this. OSHA is in charge of establishing and enforcing government policies on workplace safety, including dealing with and properly disposing of hazardous materials. Materials as common as paint or swimming pool cleaning tablets, as well as more obviously dangerous chemicals like acids and volatile cleaning products, fall into this category.
Other government agencies in the United States have created hazmat training protocols for specific industries. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, for example, was established by the US Department of Transportation to ensure that anyone working with oil pipelines and other similar structures is prepared to deal with hazmat situations that may arise in the workplace. These policies are typically in place to keep professionals in these fields safe and to ensure that hazmat laws are followed when dealing with these materials.
Hazardous materials training may also be required of certain professionals as part of their occupational training for non-specific job opportunities. These positions include emergency responders and military personnel who must know how to deal with potentially dangerous materials they may encounter at disaster sites or on the battlefield. This can include specific types of hazmat training, such as dealing with weapons of mass destruction in public transportation or responding to highway emergencies.