Hazard Ranking System (HRS) is a 4-day training course designed for personnel who are required to compile, draft and review preliminary assessments (PA), site inspections (SI), and HRS documentation records and packages submitted for sites proposed for the National Priorities List (NPL). This course is open to EPA, federal, state, tribal and contractor personnel who support site investigation programs.

The HRS course provides a detailed review of the HRS model and how the model is applied to various site conditions. The course is intended to enable staff to prepare HRS packages for the National Priorities List (NPL) and to plan and implement preliminary assessments (PA) and site inspections (SI) to address future HRS scoring issues. By taking the course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

• Explain the site assessment process under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the role of HRS. The course provides an overview of key provisions of CERCLA and the general response process established under the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). The course discusses procedures and requirements for conducting site assessments and using the HRS to score sites for placement on the NPL.
• Define and explain the HRS in detail. The course explains the overall structure and elements of the HRS and how a site score is calculated. The course also provides a detailed explanation of each scoring factor (likelihood of release, waste characterization and targets) for each pathway (groundwater, surface water, soil exposure and air) evaluated by the HRS. In addition, the course addresses HRS rules for scoring sites with releases of radionuclides.
• Illustrate a general approach to scoring sites using the HRS and preparing an HRS package. The course provides an introduction to the process by which HRS packages are prepared, identifies the elements of a complete package and discusses accurate site scoring. The course examines documentation and analytical data quality needed to support HRS packages.
• Identify and use guidance and software to successfully prepare an HRS package. The course will identify regulations and guidance issued by the EPA applicable to HRS scoring packages and has participants prepare an HRS score for a site.

HRS is a 4-day training course designed for personnel who are required to compile, draft and review HRS documentation records and packages submitted for sites proposed for the National Priorities List (NPL). This course is open to EPA, federal, state, and tribal personnel who support site investigation programs. THIS COURSE IS NOT OPEN TO ACADEMIA, CONSULTANTS, CONTRACTORS OR ANY PRIVATE ENTITIES.

It is recommended that you take the Hazard Ranking System training course prior to the Preliminary Assessment and Site Inspection training course.

*This course is offered free of charge to all registrants who are confirmed to attend.*

The Engineering Forum (EF), established in the late 1980s, is a group of engineers and scientists that supports the Superfund and RCRA programs in each of the ten EPA Regional Offices. As one of the EPA Technical Support Project’s (TSP) three technical forums, the EF is a medium for exchanging technical information regarding innovative site cleanup and characterization technologies. Monthly technical talks focus on site-specific engineering problems encountered, alternatives and solutions, and lessons learned. After each presentation, information regarding upcoming events and training are discussed and time for an Open Mic discussion is provided. If you are a Superfund, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Brownfields, state or federal environmental professional who is interested in solving technical issues, register for any technical talks listed below that interest you and join the discussion!

Presentations are specifically designed for EPA staff including RPMs, OSCs, Corrective Action Managers, Superfund and Technology Liaisons, Chemists, Biologists, Physical Scientists, and Engineers from within EPA regions, program offices, laboratory system, and headquarters personnel as well as environmental professionals from state agencies, tribes, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Dept. of Energy, and other federal agencies of all experience levels. THIS TRAINING IS NOT OPEN TO ACADEMIA, CONTRACTORS, CONSULTANTS OR OTHER PRIVATE ENTITIES.

We will try to meet any special accommodations necessary for our participants as possible if given a minimum of two weeks notice. You will be prompted to indicate if you need any special accommodations upon registering for these events.

*This training is offered free of charge to all registrants who are confirmed to attend. One CLP will be issued for each session attended when you register and log on with the registration link provided to enable your attendance to be confirmed.*
 

The Removal Process course provides On-Scene Coordinators (OSC) and others who support the removal program with fundamental information and practical knowledge needed to plan, conduct or support removal actions effectively in response to releases of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants as well as discharges of oil under the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). The Removal Process course is structured to follow the framework of the NCP. By taking the course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

• Learn to carry out the step-by-step process of conducting a removal action. The course follows the chain of events from site discovery to completion of the removal action, demonstrating how the enforcement process is integrated into various phases of the removal process.
• Understand the authorities and limitations of an OSC during a removal action. The course provides a comprehensive review of statutory and regulatory requirements, including an overview of response authority, requirements for public participation and regulations governing contracting services.
• Understand the Incident Command System/Unified Command (ICS/UC) and an OSC’s role during an emergency response. This course strengthens an OSC’s ability to use the ICS/UC effectively and reiterates the roles and responsibilities of an OSC during emergency responses to releases of hazardous substances. The course examines the organization of the ICS/UC and provides a thorough discussion of the planning and support functions associated with the ICS/UC.
• Use their newly developed knowledge and skills to solve real-life problems. Participants are challenged to apply the information and knowledge acquired during the course to realistic exercises and case studies and will be presented with tools and resources available to the OSC.

The Removal Process course is an intermediate 4.5 day training that is geared towards OSCs and other responders or removal program personnel (Headquarters regional coordinators, Removal Managers, enforcement personnel and Special Team members) who are responsible for or need to know about removal response activities under CERCLA as well as the Oil Pollution Act (OPA)/Clean Water Act (CWA). Other Federal Agency OSCs and State OSCs will also be permitted to attend, but priority will be given to EPA OSCs. THIS COURSE IS NOT OPEN TO ACADEMIA, CONSULTANTS, CONTRACTORS OR ANY PRIVATE ENTITIES. The Fundamentals of Superfund course is a prerequisite for EPA employees who would like to attend the Removal Process course.

*This course is offered free of charge to all registrants who are confirmed to attend.*

This 3-day course is designed for workers on site only occasionally for a specific limited task unlikely to be exposed over permissible exposure limits, or regularly on a site working in areas which have been monitored and fully characterized, and where respirators and wearing elevated protection levels of PPE are not necessary. It provides the basic information needed to meet the 24-hour training requirements of the OSHA 1910.120(e)(3)(ii) and 1910.120(e)(3)(iii) Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) Standard.

NOTE: All EPA staff travel required to attend this "In-Person" course is being closely monitored/scrutinized for mandatory EPA 5170-related cost compliance tracking with the Region POC for this course.  Therefore, if you plan to submit a travel authorization to attend, please discuss beforehand with the designated Region POC and/or email ertp-h&s@epa.gov.  Generally, this travel cost monitoring requirement is not applicable to non-U.S. EPA staff or partner agencies & staff when the partner agency is responsible for travel expenses related to their employee travel.

This 5-day course is designed for personnel involved with the investigation and remediation of uncontrolled hazardous waste sites and, to a lesser extent, response to an incident involving hazardous substances. It provides basic information needed to meet the 40-hour training requirements of the OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120 (e)(3)(i) Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) standard.

After completing the course, participants will be able to:

• Identify methods and procedures for recognizing, evaluating, and controlling hazardous substances.
• Identify concepts, principles, and guidelines to properly protect site or response personnel.
• Discuss regulations and action levels to ensure health and safety of the workers.
• Discuss fundamentals needed to develop organizational structure and standard operating procedures.
• Demonstrate and comprehend respiratory program requirements and the selection and use of respiratory protection equipment and chemically protective clothing. Combined, these are known as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Demonstrate the use, calibration, and limitations of direct-reading air monitoring instruments.
• Participate in on-site clean-up operations conducted at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites, and 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.).

Participants will be trained in hazardous waste operations, team functions, personnel health and safety procedures, and operation of field monitoring equipment.

Note: Completing this 40-hour HAZWOPER course provides the training required to access uncontrolled and fully monitored and characterized hazardous waste sites and participate in response activities to an incident involving hazardous materials, wearing elevated protection levels of PPE.  The 24-hour HAZWOPER course only provides training sufficient to access fully monitored and characterized hazardous waste sites and excludes training to wear elevated levels of PPE.

In some segments of the course, participants are required to wear PPE, including Level A encapsulating suits and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). It should be noted that wearing encapsulating suits may be stressful to some individuals and wearing respirators precludes individuals from wearing eyeglasses. Participants who are severely restricted without their glasses should be aware that their participation may be limited unless they have contact lenses and/or their own respirator spectacle kit. Respirator fit-testing is not required prior to attending this course.

NOTE: In accordance with the Respiratory Protection Standard, 29 CFR 1910.134(e), a medical clearance to wear a respirator is required to attend this course. Each student must include with their registration a formal verification from their safety officer, physician, or other licensed health care professional that clearly states that a medical evaluation has been completed and that the student has been medically cleared to wear respiratory protection equipment. This must be received prior to the course start date.

The medical questionnaire to be completed and provided to their safety officer or physician is located at 29 CFR 1910.134 Appendix C, OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire.

Registration will not be completed, nor will confirmation be sent, until such proof is received by the HazTrain Registrar. If registration is done on-line, a copy of the respiratory document can be emailed to ERTP-H&S@epa.gov.

It is highly recommendedyou complete the FEMA Incident Command System (ICS) Classes 100, 200, 700 and 800 prior to attending. This training is available for free on the FEMA website.

The 40-hour HAZWOPER course is not a substitute for the EPA employee requirement of completing the initial 24-hour Field Safety & Health Training.  EPA employee managers and supervisors should contact their local Safety Health & Environmental Manager for more information.

29 CFR 1910.120 Select Regulation Descriptions:

1910.120(e)(3)(i)  40-Hour course for General Site Worker

General site workers (such as equipment operators, general laborers and supervisory personnel) engaged in hazardous substance removal or other activities which expose or potentially expose workers to hazardous substances and health hazards shall receive a minimum of 40 hours of instruction off the site, and a minimum of three days actual field experience under the direct supervision of a trained experienced supervisor.

1910.120(e)(3)(ii)  24-Hour course for occasional site workers

Workers on site only occasionally for a specific limited task (such as, but not limited to, ground water monitoring, land surveying, or geophysical surveying) and who are unlikely to be exposed over permissible exposure limits and published exposure limits shall receive a minimum of 24 hours of instruction off the site, and the minimum of one day actual field experience under the direct supervision of a trained, experienced supervisor.

1910.120(e)(3)(iii) 24-Hour course for regular workers on fully characterized sites

Workers regularly on site who work in areas which have been monitored and fully characterized indicating that exposures are under permissible exposure limits and published exposure limits where respirators are not necessary,and the characterization indicates that there are no health hazards or the possibility of an emergency developing, shall receive a minimum of 24 hours of instruction off the site, and the minimum of one day actual field experience under the direct supervision of a trained, experienced supervisor.

To view the complete regulation, please visit:

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.120

IMPORTANT:  ERTP’s receipt of a Trainex course registration is a Registration Request, it is not a Guaranteed Enrollment in the Course. All ERTP training courses require applicant registration thru the Trainex system.  Last minute course arrivals without prior ERTP Trainex course registration approval is not permitted.  Before ERTP issues final approval to deliver any course and/or any EPA offices incurring expenses for the training event (including but not limited to EPA staff travel TA’s and/or ERTP training contractor expenses incurred), all EPA mandatory pre-approvals must all be met. The pre-approvals include (but are not limited to) the following:
Training location’s availability;
COVID status and/or other COVID Guidelines in effect for the location, as well as staff;

• Agency limitations, scrutiny, and approvals of ‘Conference Spending Requirements (known as the “5170”)’ for the specific training course(s) scheduled delivery timeframe;
• Weather (blizzard, hurricane, etc);
• Contractual number of available course training slots;
• EPA training location staff having priority registration over all other registrations; and/or
• Hosting site Training Coordinator approval.

In the event a course is subsequently postponed or canceled, or notification of registration cancellation is received, all EPA travel arrangements (airline/car rental/hotel) should be canceled in a timely manner. Registered students will receive a notification via email if/when a course is postponed and/or cancelled.

Notice:For in-person course deliveries, confirmed course registered participants must abide by all facility physical access requirements for the location (examples: check-in at the security gate, Federal ID, Government PIV/CAC cards, photo id’s, etc.).  If applicable for the course or location, restrictions may apply to non-citizens and acceptable identification may be required for facility entry.  Unless otherwise specified, ERTP TRAINING IS GENERALLY NOT OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ATTENDEES, ACADEMIA, CONTRACTORS, CONSULTANTS OR OTHER PRIVATE ENTITIES.

Superfund 101 consists of two introductory-level courses: Fundamentals of Superfund and Enforcement Process Overview. The target audience for each course is On-Scene Coordinators (OSC) and Remedial Project Managers (RPM).

Fundamentals of Superfund, a 3-day introductory training course, provides an overview of the purpose, legal framework and implementation of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP) for newly hired OSCs and RPMs. By taking the course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

• Understand the evolution of the Superfund program. The course explores the origin, accomplishments and future of the Superfund program.
• Understand the statutory and regulatory basis for the authorities of OSCs and RPMs. The course provides an overview of the roles of the OSC and RPM as they are defined in laws, regulations, policy and guidance, including a comparison of authorities and liabilities.
• Learn about the three types of response activities defined under CERCLA. The course discusses the components of the removal, remedial and enforcement programs and the major responsibilities of OSCs and RPMs in their work on Superfund responses, site cleanups and enforcement activities.

Enforcement Process Overview, a 2-day course, provides an overview of the EPA’s Superfund enforcement process for OSCs and RPMs. By taking the course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

• Learn about the goals, priorities, and actions of the Superfund enforcement program. The course provides an introduction to response actions and enforcement authorities under Superfund; illustrates the relationship between major enforcement actions and remedial and removal actions; defines Superfund enforcement goals and principles; identifies objectives of Superfund enforcement reforms; and highlights current enforcement priorities of the EPA.
• Understand the EPA’s fundamental principles and policies related to enforcement, the four types of potentially responsible parties (PRP), common defenses against liability and other enforcement policies. The course examines the four classes of PRPs, identifies PRP’s defenses and exemptions to liabilities, and identifies major enforcement discretionary policies.
• Understand the Superfund enforcement process and the roles of states, tribes, Federal agencies and communities in the enforcement process. The course examines and applies EPA’s cost recovery strategy and discretionary enforcement policies, as well as the roles of administrative and judicial law in the enforcement process.
• Develop their ability to use the tools available to encourage settlements. Participants will learn about the various types of enforcement tools, such as alternative dispute resolution, that are used in the settlement process.

Superfund 101 is recommended for new OSCs and RPMs as well as other programmatic and field support staff (i.e., enforcement personnel, HQ regional coordinators, Special Team members) as well as other federal agency, state and tribal environmental professionals involved in cleanups at Superfund sites. THIS COURSE IS NOT OPEN TO ACADEMIA, CONSULTANTS, CONTRACTORS OR ANY PRIVATE ENTITIES. In addition, the Superfund 101 course is a prerequisite for EPA employees who would like to attend the Removal and Remedial Process courses. 

Please note, non-EPA registrants may be asked to cancel their registration if the course reaches capacity, as priority to attend this course is given to EPA Superfund RPMs and OSCs.

Please note: For OSCs/RPMs to receive your certificate for this training, you will need to attend class until 3:00 p.m. local time on Friday. Please plan your travel accordingly.

*This course is offered free of charge to all registrants who are confirmed to attend.*

This 3.5-day course provides participants with the fundamentals of risk assessment as applied to the Superfund cleanup process. This course is designed to present an introduction to the Superfund risk assessment process to Project Managers, On-Scene Coordinators, Risk Assessment Reviewers, and potentially new Risk Assessors working at hazardous waste sites or treatment, storage, and disposal facilities. The course assumes little experience with toxicology and risk assessment or knowledge regarding Superfund risk assessment guidance.

The course is based on the following EPA documents:

• Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund (RAGS): Volume I - Human Health Evaluation Manual (Parts A, B, C, and D) (The student is also introduced to RAGS Parts E and F).
• Ecological Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund: Process for Designing and Conducting Ecological Risk Assessments - Interim Final (https://semspub.epa.gov/work/HQ/157941.pdf)
• Guidelines for Ecological Risk Assessment (https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2014-11/documents/eco_risk_assessment1998.pdf)

The risk assessment process is presented in an introductory format. The overall goal of the course is for the student to have a good understanding of the risk assessment process associated with Superfund (and similar) sites. Additionally, the student is introduced to many of the primary EPA guidance documents used to prepare Superfund risk assessments.

Topics include: baseline risk assessment, screening level ecological risk assessment, preliminary remediation goals; applicable statutes, regulations, and guidance; data collection and evaluation; exposure assessment; toxicity assessment; risk characterization; uncertainty analysis, principles of ecological assessment; ecological risk assessment guidance for Superfund; and ecological data collection methods. Current technical and information resources will also be discussed.

Instructional methods include lectures, videos, class discussions, and group exercises.

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe risk assessment and risk management.
• Identify the applicable statutes, regulations, and guidance pertinent to human health and ecological risk assessments under Superfund.
• Describe each of the four steps of the risk assessment paradigm.
• Describe the eight step process for ecological risk assessment.
• Identify and describe similarities and differences between human and ecological risk assessments.
• Identify and describe some of the data collection methods specific to ecological risk assessments.
• Review and have a better understanding of Superfund risk assessments.

In compliance with Executive Order 13589 - Promoting Efficient Spending, Section 5; the ERTP will not be regularly printing or providing students hard copies of the course manual. Students may obtain an electronic copy of the student manual for personal printing or e-reading at:

https://ertpvu.org/ClassroomCourseDetail.aspx?id=50

Note: Calculators are highly recommended.

Unless otherwise specified, THIS COURSE, AND OTHER ERTP COURSES, IS NOT OPEN TO CONSULTANTS, CONTRACTORS, OR ANY PRIVATE ENTITIES.

*This course is offered free of charge to all registrants who are confirmed to attend.*

IMPORTANT NOTICES - :  

1. ERTP’s receipt of a Trainex course registration is a Registration Request, it is not a Guaranteed Enrollment in the Course. All ERTP training courses require applicant registration thru the Trainex system.  Last minute course arrivals without prior ERTP Trainex course registration approval is not permitted.  Before ERTP issues final approval to deliver any course and/or any EPA offices incurring expenses for the training event (including but not limited to EPA staff travel TA’s and/or ERTP training contractor expenses incurred), all EPA mandatory pre-approvals must all be met. The pre-approvals include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Training location’s availability;
• COVID status and/or other COVID Guidelines in effect for the location, as well as staff;
• Agency limitations, scrutiny, and approvals of ‘Conference Spending Requirements (known as the “5170”)’ for the specific training course(s) scheduled delivery timeframe;
• Weather (blizzard, hurricane, etc);
• Contractual number of available course training slots;
• EPA training location staff having priority registration over all other registrations; and/or
• Hosting site Training Coordinator approval.

In the event a course is subsequently postponed or canceled, or notification of registration cancellation is received, all EPA travel arrangements (airline/car rental/hotel) should be canceled in a timely manner. Registered students will receive a notification via email if/when a course is postponed and/or cancelled.

2. For in-person course deliveries, confirmed course registered participants must abide by all facility physical access requirements for the location (examples: check-in at the security gate, Federal ID, Government PIV/CAC cards, photo id’s, etc.).  If applicable for the course or location, restrictions may apply to non-citizens and acceptable identification may be required for facility entry. 

Federal Facility RPM, a 3-day training course, is geared toward Federal Facility (FF) Remedial Project Managers (RPM) from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to facilitate an understanding of how the FF RPM role, responsibilities and authorities differ from a private or Fund-financed Superfund EPA RPM. By taking this course, participants will:

• Discuss and examine best practices for managing the unique circumstances Federal Facility National Priority List (NPL) sites present.
• Be exposed to the institutional knowledge of experienced FF RPMs and cover the history of the FF program and complexity of legacy DOD and DOE sites.
• Review the statutory and regulatory authorities, executive orders and policy and guidance that are important to Federal Facilities.
• Examine the programmatic organization unique to Federal Facilities and identify the programmatic differences between Federal Facility and private and Fund-financed Superfund sites.
• Discuss in detail the Federal Facility Agreement (FFA), including negotiating and implementing the provisions of the FFA.
• Examine and evaluate the unique technical and management issues presented by Federal Facilities.
• Discuss current issues associated with emerging contaminants that may be present at Federal Facilities.
• Obtain valuable materials and references for managing a Federal Facility NPL site.

This course is specifically designed for EPA FF RPMs of all experience levels. Participants with one to two years of experience and who have taken the Fundamentals of Superfund and Remedial Process courses may derive the most benefit. This course may also be taken by other EPA RPMs, DOD/DOE RPMs, EPA RCRA personnel, state personnel who manage Federal Facilities across the nation, tribal RPMs and managers. THIS COURSE IS NOT OPEN TO ACADEMIA, CONTRACTORS, CONSULTANTS OR OTHER PRIVATE ENTITIES.

The format of the course includes lecture, facilitated discussion, case study review, situational training with exercises, and use of multiple media. Short tests will be given at the end of each module to assess whether training objectives are met.

*This course is offered free of charge to all registrants who are confirmed to attend.*

Important Notice: Due to the content presented during a CEC course and the restrictions in place for non-citizens to enter federal buildings, international attendees are not permitted to attend CEC courses.