Which agency regulates the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the agency responsible for regulating the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOP) Standard. This standard is particularly focused on protecting workers engaged in hazardous waste operations and emergency response activities, ensuring they have access to necessary safety measures and training to reduce risks associated with handling hazardous materials.

OSHA’s involvement emphasizes worker safety and health regulations, which are crucial in environments where hazardous waste is stored, transported, or managed. By establishing the HAZWOP standard, OSHA ensures that employers provide adequate protective measures, including training, personal protective equipment, and safety protocols, thereby minimizing the risks to workers in potentially dangerous situations involving hazardous waste.

While other agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) also deal with hazardous materials, their focus areas differ. EPA typically focuses on environmental protection and regulation of hazardous waste from a broader environmental perspective, and DOT oversees the transportation of hazardous materials rather than the workplace safety aspect covered by OSHA's regulations. FEMA is concerned with emergency management and disaster response but does not regulate workplace safety in hazardous waste operations.