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Hazardous Materials Removal Workers Occupation Detailed Description

Hazardous Materials Removal Workers career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Hazardous Materials Removal Workers

The main tasks and work activities of Hazardous Materials Removal Workers are to prepare hazardous waste for processing or disposal, record operational or environmental data, drive trucks or truck-mounted equipment, operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment. In general, for the Hazardous Materials Removal Workers, monitoring, critical Thinking, operation and Control, operation Monitoring and other 12 skills are required.
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers Job Description
EducationMost occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related ExperiencePrevious work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Hazardous Materials Removal Workers jobs. 24.89% of Hazardous Materials Removal Workers have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 19.71% of Hazardous Materials Removal Workers have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
26.03%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
24.89%
Post-Secondary Certificate
19.71%
Some College Courses
13.66%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
1.94%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
13.77%

Tasks and Work Activities of Hazardous Materials Removal Workers

  • Comply with prescribed safety procedures or federal laws regulating waste disposal methods.
  • Record numbers of containers stored at disposal sites, specifying amounts or types of equipment or waste disposed.
  • Drive trucks or other heavy equipment to convey contaminated waste to designated sea or ground locations.
  • Operate machines or equipment to remove, package, store, or transport loads of waste materials.
  • Load or unload materials into containers or onto trucks, using hoists or forklifts.
  • Clean contaminated equipment or areas for reuse, using detergents or solvents, sandblasters, filter pumps, or steam cleaners.
  • Remove asbestos or lead from surfaces, using hand or power tools such as scrapers, vacuums, or high-pressure sprayers.
  • Upload baskets of irradiated elements onto machines that insert fuel elements into canisters and secure lids.
  • Identify asbestos, lead, or other hazardous materials to be removed, using monitoring devices.
  • Package, store, or move irradiated fuel elements in the underwater storage basins of nuclear reactor plants, using machines or equipment.
  • Organize or track the locations of hazardous items in landfills.
  • Operate cranes to move or load baskets, casks, or canisters.
  • Mix or pour concrete into forms to encase waste material for disposal.
  • Apply bioremediation techniques to hazardous wastes to allow naturally occurring bacteria to break down toxic substances.
  • Clean mold-contaminated sites by removing damaged porous materials or thoroughly cleaning all contaminated nonporous materials.
  • Identify or separate waste products or materials for recycling or reuse.
  • Process e-waste, such as computer components containing lead or mercury.
  • Remove or limit contamination following emergencies involving hazardous substances.
  • Sort specialized hazardous waste at landfills or disposal centers, following proper disposal procedures.
  • Build containment areas prior to beginning abatement or decontamination work.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Performing General Physical ActivitiesPerforming physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Handling and Moving ObjectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUsing relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsDeveloping constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Prepare hazardous waste for processing or disposal.
  • Record operational or environmental data.
  • Drive trucks or truck-mounted equipment.
  • Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
  • Load or unload materials used in construction or extraction.
  • Decontaminate equipment or sites to remove hazardous or toxic substances.
  • Inspect work sites to identify potential environmental or safety hazards.
  • Pour materials into or on designated areas.
  • Mix substances or compounds needed for work activities.
  • Apply new technologies to improve work processes.
  • Assemble temporary equipment or structures.

Skills and Abilities for Hazardous Materials Removal Workers

  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Social PerceptivenessBeing aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Multilimb CoordinationThe ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Extent FlexibilityThe ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
  • Adjustable wrenchese.g. Adjustable wrenches
  • Air samplers or collectorse.g. Aerosol meters
  • Air samplers or collectorse.g. Air monitoring equipment
  • Air pollutant samplerse.g. Air pollutant monitors
  • Air samplers or collectorse.g. Air sampling devices
  • Air sampling pumpse.g. Air sampling pumps
  • Air scrubberse.g. Air scrubbers
  • Radiation detectorse.g. Alpha radiation meters
  • Sample holderse.g. Asbestos sample containers
  • Radiation detectorse.g. Beta radiation meters
  • Blowerse.g. Blowers
  • Borescope inspection equipmente.g. Borescopes
  • Wheel bulldozerse.g. Bulldozers
  • Reagent kits for use with air samplerse.g. Chemical agent detectors
  • Protective apronse.g. Chemical protective aprons
  • Hazardous material protective footweare.g. Chemical protective boots
  • Hazardous material protective apparele.g. Chemical protective clothing
  • Protective coverallse.g. Chemical protective coveralls
  • Facial shieldse.g. Chemical protective face shields
  • Protective glovese.g. Chemical protective gloves
  • Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • Administration and ManagementKnowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • TransportationKnowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Building and ConstructionKnowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.