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.