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All About Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
Job Description: 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.
What Do Hazardous Materials Removal Workers Do On a Daily Basis?
- Remove asbestos or lead from surfaces, using hand or power tools such as scrapers, vacuums, or high-pressure sprayers.
- Mix or pour concrete into forms to encase waste material for disposal.
- Operate cranes to move or load baskets, casks, or canisters.
- Prepare hazardous material for removal or storage.
- Remove or limit contamination following emergencies involving hazardous substances.
- Clean contaminated equipment or areas for re-use, using detergents or solvents, sandblasters, filter pumps, or steam cleaners.
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Things a Hazardous Materials Removal Worker Should Know How to Do
When polled, Hazardous Materials Removal Workers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Active Listening: Giving 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.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Other Hazardous Materials Removal Worker Job Titles
- Abatement Worker
- Material Handling Technician
- Waste Disposal Attendant
- Decontamination / Decommissioning Operator (D & D Operator)
- Hazmat Technician (Hazardous Materials Technician)
Are There Job Opportunities for Hazardous Materials Removal Workers?
In the United States, there were 46,200 jobs for Hazardous Materials Removal Worker in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 17.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 7,900 new jobs for Hazardous Materials Removal Worker by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 6,700 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Hazardous Materials Removal Worker are Utah, Wyoming, and North Dakota. Watch out if you plan on working in Michigan, Pennsylvania, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Hazardous Materials Removal Workers Make A Lot Of Money?
The typical yearly salary for Hazardous Materials Removal Workers is somewhere between $27,910 and $75,840.
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers who work in New York, Washington, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Hazardous Materials Removal Workers in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $43,720 |
| Alaska | $64,460 |
| Arizona | $36,620 |
| Arkansas | $33,140 |
| California | $49,470 |
| Colorado | $41,170 |
| Connecticut | $41,060 |
| Delaware | $41,420 |
| District of Columbia | $41,510 |
| Florida | $38,680 |
| Georgia | $43,450 |
| Hawaii | $58,120 |
| Illinois | $57,570 |
| Indiana | $43,320 |
| Iowa | $39,970 |
| Kansas | $35,780 |
| Kentucky | $44,180 |
| Louisiana | $38,910 |
| Maine | $37,650 |
| Maryland | $41,210 |
| Massachusetts | $48,780 |
| Michigan | $44,700 |
| Minnesota | $45,580 |
| Mississippi | $36,020 |
| Missouri | $50,290 |
| Montana | $46,950 |
| Nebraska | $43,870 |
| Nevada | $42,160 |
| New Hampshire | $45,030 |
| New Jersey | $56,860 |
| New Mexico | $57,780 |
| New York | $61,780 |
| North Carolina | $29,420 |
| North Dakota | $54,940 |
| Ohio | $48,370 |
| Oklahoma | $40,540 |
| Oregon | $45,440 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,640 |
| Rhode Island | $46,330 |
| South Carolina | $33,310 |
| South Dakota | $38,040 |
| Tennessee | $59,470 |
| Texas | $39,610 |
| Utah | $43,770 |
| Vermont | $37,250 |
| Virginia | $39,250 |
| Washington | $62,040 |
| West Virginia | $36,750 |
| Wisconsin | $39,310 |
| Wyoming | $50,240 |
What Tools do Hazardous Materials Removal Workers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Hazardous Materials Removal Workers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Word processing software
- SAP
- Spreadsheet software
- Database software
- Presentation software
- Internet browser software
- Computerized maintenance management system software CMMS
How to Become a Hazardous Materials Removal Worker
Learn what Hazardous Materials Removal Worker education requirements there are.
What work experience do I need to become a Hazardous Materials Removal Worker?
Who Employs Hazardous Materials Removal Workers?
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers work in the following industries:
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Hazardous Materials Removal Worker may also be interested in:
Those who work as a Hazardous Materials Removal Worker sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Ryan Conroy via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.