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

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.

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.

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

Standard 40 hour work week

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.

Is this right for me

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.

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