The Importance of HAZWOPER Training

For many individuals, getting required HAZWOPER training may seem like a step that they do not want to take. It may be a requirement for you to work in this field, but many people believe they do not need the specific lessons on how to manage it. The fact is, you do. For anyone who will be working in hazardous waste, including the risk of having to deal with spills, it is critical to know what to do right away. Reaction time is a big deal. It is also important to know how to avoid bigger risks that can happen at any time. For those who want to work in this industry, getting the education is not an option.

What to Expect

When you get HAZWOPER training, you can expect to learn a great deal about the industry and about your soon-to-be job. Generally, you will learn the safety precautions and procedures you need to know to avoid incidents and how to handle risks related to hazardous waste. This will also include understanding and identifying the various types of chemicals that you could be involved with while on the job.

What Will Your Job Be?

Those who have this type of education will be educated to the technician level. These individuals have the responsibility to respond to incidents. This could include patching, plugging or otherwise stopping the release of the substance in as fast a time as possible. You will learn a variety of steps to get to that point. For example, most learn first how to put an employer's emergency response plan into place. You will learn how to assess the current risks and hazards you and others are exposed to. You will also learn the various terminology related to the hazardous materials including chemical and toxicology names and terms.

You will learn the proper steps to using safety and protective equipment. You will learn how to use respirators. You will also learn the steps to confinement and containment for any type of hazardous material exposure that has occurred. Finally, after the situation is contained, you will learn what to do as a type of decontamination or termination procedure. The goal is the same throughout this process. Prevent the problem when it is possible. Be educated to know what to do when there is a problem. Respond properly and avoid the risks. Clean up afterwards.

The 8 Most Common Mistakes of New Online Students

If you're just starting out as an online student you may make a few mistakes but hopefully with my help you can be a little more aware of what you're jumping into. Here are the top 8 most common mistakes that new online students make.

1. Signing Up With a Non-Accredited School

This may come as a surprise to you but there are many schools out there that will rip you off! These schools are not accredited, meaning if you earned a degree from a non-accredited school your degree wouldn't be worth anything anywhere. If you make the mistake of going to a non-accredited school the credits you earn there (if any) will not transfer to a school that is accredited. Do your research!

2. Biting Off More Than You Can Chew

This is a big one. Not only will you have to budget out your class time with work and other activities you absolutely must budget in study time or you may find yourself falling behind quickly. A good rule of thumb is for every one hour of class time you have, budget two hours of study time.

3. Forgetting To Take Your Learning Style Into Account

Consider how you learn. Do you learn better with hands on activities? Do you retain more by listening to a teacher and writing notes? Or can you learn by reading? Students that need hands on activities and visuals may have a harder time learning in an online setting. If you can retain information from reading online, than you may fair better.

4. Not Matching Your Technology With The Schools

In other words, dial up internet isn't going to cut it. You have to have a good computer and a steady, fast internet connection. You don't want to be wasting your time waiting for the internet to load up any time that you have to do your homework.

5. Not Researching Your Teacher

Make sure your teacher is experienced at teaching online courses. Check out the professor before committing to the course. Teachers teaching for the first time may still be figuring things out.

6. Taking Too Many Classes At Once

Many students take on way more than they can handle. Just because a class is online does not mean that it is any easier than a traditional class. When you're first starting out try just one class at a time, until you feel like you can increase your work load.

7. Just Because It's An Online Course, Doesn't Mean You Can Plagiarize

Don't think that you can get by copying and pasting your essays. Most online schools have anti-plagiarism soft wares installed.

8. You're Not Interested In Being Part Of A Team

Most of the curriculum for online courses is having a discussion online. If you are unwilling to participate in the class discussion and work on problems and assignments as a team, you won't be able to complete most of your assignments.