This manual provides basic background information necessary to perform investigative and remedial activities at hazardous waste sites within a safe and efficient framework. It is the basic text for the standard 40-hour HAZWOPER course. While the topics and structure focus toward OSHA training courses, it could serve as the basic text for a similar course in Canada and for any related safety and hazardous materials courses. The organization and thoroughness of the information along with the many illustrations make it a stand-alone reference as well as a text. It provides the best available current information from various federal agencies including the EPA, OSHA, NIOSH, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Coast Guard, and the Department of Transportation. (view table of contents)