What Do Hazmat Removal Workers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

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Job Description, Daily Responsibilities, and Work Life

Hazmat Removal Workers

Hazmat Removal Workers identify, remove, pack, transport, or dispose of hazardous materials, including asbestos, lead-based paint, waste oil, fuel, transmission fluid, radioactive materials, or contaminated soil. Specialized training and certification in hazardous materials handling or a confined entry permit are generally required. May operate earth-moving equipment or trucks.

Salary
$49170
Becoming One
Medium
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match



Job Description

Job Description

Hazmat Removal Workers identify, remove, pack, transport, or dispose of hazardous materials, including asbestos, lead-based paint, waste oil, fuel, transmission fluid, radioactive materials, or contaminated soil. Specialized training and certification in hazardous materials handling or a confined entry permit are generally required. May operate earth-moving equipment or trucks. They also build containment areas prior to beginning abatement or decontamination work.

Other tasks include:

  • Remove asbestos or lead from surfaces, using hand or power tools such as scrapers, vacuums, or high-pressure sprayers.
  • Identify asbestos, lead, or other hazardous materials to be removed, using monitoring devices.
  • Prepare hazardous material for removal or storage.
  • 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.
  • Sort specialized hazardous waste at landfills or disposal centers, following proper disposal procedures.

We asked Hazmat Removal Workers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

Job satisfaction

63%

How meaningful is this job

56%


63% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 56% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.



Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Hazmat Removal Workers organize or track the locations of hazardous items in landfills. They drive trucks or other heavy equipment to convey contaminated waste to designated sea or ground locations.

A typical day for a Hazardous Materials Removal Worker will also include:

  • Operate machines or equipment to remove, package, store, or transport loads of waste materials.
  • 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.
  • Identify or separate waste products or materials for recycling or reuse.
  • Operate cranes to move or load baskets, casks, or canisters.

We asked some Hazmat Removal Workers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job? 60% said yes
How important is it to work in a team in this job? 42% said very important
Do you have group discussions everyday in this job? 84% said yes
Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job? 8% said yes
Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job? 3% said yes
Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job? 35% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Hazmat Removal Workers also package, store, or move irradiated fuel elements in the underwater storage basins of nuclear reactor plants, using machines or equipment. They may also prepare hazardous material for removal or storage.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Hazmat Removal Workers Clean mold-contaminated sites by removing damaged porous materials or thoroughly cleaning all contaminated nonporous materials. They might also Clean contaminated equipment or areas for re-use, using detergents or solvents, sandblasters, filter pumps, or steam cleaners.

In addition, they Drive trucks or other heavy equipment to convey contaminated waste to designated sea or ground locations.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Operate machines or equipment to remove, package, store, or transport loads of waste materials.

To some Hazmat Removal Workers, it is also their responsibility to Upload baskets of irradiated elements onto machines that insert fuel elements into canisters and secure lids.


Working life

Working hours

Standard 40 hour work week

Working schedule

Irregular work schedule that changes depending on weather conditions, customer demand or contract duration.

In a typical work week as a Hazardous Materials Removal Worker, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Do Hazmat Removal Workers work in an office-style work environment?

Once a week
54%


Once a month
28%


Do Hazmat Removal Workers work outdoors?

Once a week
53%


Once a month
41%



Is this right for me

Best personality for this career

The Builders and The Organizers

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.



Learn more about Hazmat Removal Workers

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Related to Hazardous Materials Removal Workers Job Description

Hazardous Materials Removal Workers job description, what do Hazardous Materials Removal Workers do, typical day for Hazardous Materials Removal Workers, what is it like to work as a Hazardous Materials Removal Worker, how many hours do Hazardous Materials Removal Workers work, day to day work of a Hazardous Materials Removal Worker

Additional resources

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/construction-and-extraction/hazardous-materials-removal-workers.htm
http://www.liuna.org/home
http://www.nei.org/
http://www.osha.gov/index.html


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