The course includes the following topics: DOD Environmental Policy; hazardous terminology; Pollution Prevention (P2); identification and classification of hazardous materials and hazardous wastes; health effects and personal safety; packaging, labeling, handling, storage, and transportation procedures; contingency planning and release response; and hazardous materials and waste laws, regulations, and policies. It provides the attendees with fundamental information to handle hazardous waste as required by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations (40 CFR 260-265), by appropriate state and local requirements, and DOD policy. This course fulfills the general training requirements initially required for hazardous waste handlers by RCRA regulations (40 CFR 264.16 and 265.16), the Hazardous Communications Program (29 CFR 1910.1200), and the Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazardous Material Training (49 CFR 172.704). The Interservice Environmental Education Review Board has designated this course a Joint Service course to train all DOD personnel in hazardous waste compliance. Waste Handlers are subject to fine or imprisonment as the result of violating local, state, federal, or international law. Furthermore, this course satisfies the USMC requirement to obtain the special identifier MOS 9954 (Hazardous Material/Hazardous Waste).

This course services as initial training in hazardous materials and hazardous waste for civilian personnel (GS 5-12 or equivalent WG), military personnel (WO-CPT or E4-E7) and contractors whose jobs include: 1) Trade occupations, i.e., welder, electrician, mechanic, painter, carpenter, motor vehicle operator, fork lift operator, or explosives operator; 2) Managing a Satellite Accumulation Point (SAP), Hazardous Waste Accumulation Area, Hazardous Material Control Center (HMCC), or Waste Water Treatment Facility; or USMC military personnel whose job requires training to obtain a secondary MOS 9954 (HM/HW). This course is also appropriate for installation support staff responsible for hazardous compliance, Industrial Hygienist, safety personnel, or quality assurance personnel who are responsible for inspecting contractor operated hazardous materials/waste facilities.