Career: Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
Hazardous materials removal workers must follow strict federal safety regulations as they work with “hazmats” of all sorts. These include asbestos, lead-based paint, waste oil, fuel, transmission fluid, mold, radioactive materials, and contaminated soil. Hazmat workers look for these dangerous substances in buildings and the environment. They then remove what they find so it can be decontaminated or disposed of safely.
As a hazmat removal worker, your responsibilities will depend on your specific job. But it could be up to you to drive a truck containing materials to storage sites or use a computer application to track the movement of materials. You might test soil or water to determine which hazmat is polluting it. Or you might inspect storage containers for leaks.
Hazardous waste removal workers identify, remove, and dispose of hazardous materials.
Did You Know?
- Lead is another hazmat. It was used in paint and pipes until the late 1970s, until it was found to cause serious health risks, especially in children.
Are You Ready To...?
- Wear a protective suit and respirator
- Follow safety procedures and government regulations
- Follow detailed instructions
- Use monitoring devices to identify hazardous materials
- Remove hazardous materials from sites using hand and power tools
- Prepare materials and containers for disposal
- Clean areas exposed to hazardous materials
- Load materials into containers and onto trucks using heavy machinery
- Drive materials to disposal sites
It Helps to Be...
Physically fit, attentive to details, and able to deal with loud noises and unpleasant odors. Since you’ll be working in emergency situations, it also helps to have excellent judgment and be able to follow procedures even under extreme stress.
Make High School Count
- Get a good foundation in math and chemistry.
- Work for a local construction company in the summers. Since much hazardous materials removal work is done in buildings, the experience will come in handy.
- Learn communication skills in English. You’ll be reading blueprints and safety warnings and following written instructions. You’ll also need to know how to ask the right questions.
Did You Know?
- Some hazmat workers treat radioactive materials at nuclear power plants.
Outlook
Government economists expect jobs for hazmat workers to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2018. Their employment is resilient in the face of economic ups and downs.
Compensation
The U.S. Department of Labor reported that hazardous materials removal workers earned an average yearly salary of $40,270 in 2009.
Treatment, storage, and disposal workers usually earn slightly more than do workers who specialize in asbestos or lead removal. People who work with radioactive materials earn the highest wages.
