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Hazard Ranking System
Hosted by U.S. EPA
Office of Superfund and Emergency Management

Hazard Ranking System (HRS) provides a detailed review of the HRS model and how the model is applied to various site conditions. The course starts with an overview of key provisions of CERCLA and the general response process established under the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP), followed by discussion on procedures and requirements for conducting site assessments and using the HRS to score sites for placement on the NPL. Focus is on explaining and examining (1) HRS scoring factor (likelihood of release, waste characterization, and targets) per pathway (groundwater, surface water, soil exposure, and air); (2) HRS rules for scoring sites accurately including addressing releases of radionuclides; (3) HRS package preparation process including elements of a complete package; (4) HRS package documentation and analytical data quality needed; and (5) available guidance and resources to support package preparation. After taking this course, participants will be equipped 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.

Course Objectives:

  • Explain the site assessment process under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the role of HRS. 
  • Define and explain the HRS in detail, including the overall structure and elements of the HRS and how a site score is calculated. 
  • Illustrate a general approach to scoring sites using the HRS and preparing an HRS package.
  • Identify and use guidance and software to successfully prepare an HRS package. 

The HRS course is recommended for EPA, state and tribal 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 NPL.

The course is also open to current U.S. EPA contractors that perform site investigation work. U.S. EPA contractors will need to provide approval from their EPA COCOR to Barbara Charris, EPA CEC Program Manager (charris.barbara@epa.gov) to attend the training. 

THIS COURSE IS NOT OPEN TO ACADEMIA, NON-EPA CONSULTANTS, NON-EPA 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.

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.

For general information contact CEC Registrar via e-mail at cec-registrar@emsus.com

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