Description: Shawn Burress, Manager of Training Services from our Omaha office, conducted a 24 Hour HAZWOPER Hazardous Materials Technician class in Nebraska at a client facility. The goal is to assist in preparing their personnel for uncontrolled releases of hazardous substances in compliance with EPA mandated Facility Response Plans.
This is the first multi-day onsite class we have conducted since the Covid-19 mandated shutdown began in March. We spent several months planning and preparing for the eventual, safe return to onsite training for our clients. We now have processes in place to sanitize and package each of the student training iPads as well as using all disposable PPE. Where the PPE cannot be disposed of, like SCBA’s, we are cleaning and sanitizing the equipment, in between each student. We are using social distancing where possible in the classroom and in the field.
TIS provided the attending students with knowledge and hands on training to assist them to be competent and fully capable of protecting themselves while protecting the environment and property.
The students were taught chemical and physical properties, as well as other related terminology, with discussion of common hazardous materials. They were taught how to use and apply the 2016 Emergency Response Guidebook, the NIOSH Pocket Guide, apps like WISER, as well as using Safety Data Sheets.
The students experienced hands on training utilizing various chemical protective clothing options, respirator options, as well as the selection and consideration for safe use of this PPE.
They discussed various options for the Confinement and Containment of spills. Various methods of Chemical Detection were also discussed and demonstrated. The students all successfully completed a final written exam to demonstrate their competency. 
