National
| Median wages (2008) |
$17.94 hourly, $37,310 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
39,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Average (7% to 13%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
13,000 additional employees |
47-4041.00 - Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
Identify, remove, pack, transport, or dispose of hazardous materials, including asbestos, lead-based paint, waste oil, fuel, transmission fluid, radioactive materials, contaminated soil, etc. Specialized training and certification in hazardous materials handling or a confined entry permit are generally required. May operate earth-moving equipment or trucks.
Sample of reported job titles:
Asbestos Abatement Worker, Decontamination / Decommissioning Operator (D & D Operator), Radiological Control and Safety Technician, Waste Handling Technician, Field Technician, Hazmat Technician (Hazardous Materials Technician), Sampler, Site Worker, Nuclear Waste Handler
Tasks
- Follow prescribed safety procedures, and comply with federal laws regulating waste disposal methods.
- Record numbers of containers stored at disposal sites, and specify amounts and types of equipment and waste disposed.
- Drive trucks or other heavy equipment to convey contaminated waste to designated sea or ground locations.
- Operate machines and equipment to remove, package, store, or transport loads of waste materials.
- Load and unload materials into containers and onto trucks, using hoists or forklifts.
- Clean contaminated equipment or areas for re-use, using detergents and solvents, sandblasters, filter pumps, and steam cleaners.
- Construct scaffolding or build containment areas prior to beginning abatement or decontamination work.
- Remove asbestos and/or lead from surfaces, using hand and power tools such as scrapers, vacuums, and high-pressure sprayers.
- Unload baskets of irradiated elements onto packaging machines that automatically insert fuel elements into canisters and secure lids.
- Apply chemical compounds to lead-based paint, allow compounds to dry, then scrape the hazardous material into containers for removal and/or storage.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Air samplers or collectors — Aerosol meters; Air monitoring equipment; Air sampling devices; Personal air monitors |
| Hazardous material protective apparel — Chemical protective clothing; Level B encapsulated suits; Liquid splash protective clothing; Vapor protective garments |
| Pneumatic sanding machines — Pneumatic scabbling tools; Sandblasters; Slurry blast equipment; Steel shot recyclable blasting equipment |
| Radiation detectors — Beta radiation meters; Gamma radiation meters; Radiation survey meters; Thermoluminescent dosimeters |
| Water samplers — Groundwater sampling equipment; Water sampling kits; Water sampling pumps |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Data base user interface and query software — Database software; Operation respond emergency information system OREISTM software |
| Internet browser software |
| Presentation software |
| Spreadsheet software |
| Word processing software |
