Hazardous Materials Removal Workers

Wages
In 2021, the average annual wage in Alabama was $38,100 with most people making between $28,540 and $49,390.
Wages by Industry
  • Remediation and Other Waste Management Services $40,230.00
  • Waste Treatment and Disposal $41,400.00
  • Waste Collection $39,790.00
  • Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services $42,520.00
  • Other Specialty Trade Contractors $36,630.00
  • Employment Services $31,990.00
Education Required
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Common Majors
  • Hazardous Materials Management and Waste Technology/Technician
About the job

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 you'll do
    • Apply bioremediation techniques to hazardous wastes to allow naturally occurring bacteria to break down toxic substances.
    • Clean mold-contaminated sites by removing damaged porous materials or thoroughly cleaning all contaminated nonporous materials.
    • Identify or separate waste products or materials for recycling or reuse.
    • Manipulate handgrips of mechanical arms to place irradiated fuel elements into baskets.
    • Mix or pour concrete into forms to encase waste material for disposal.
    • Operate cranes to move or load baskets, casks, or canisters.
    • Organize or track the locations of hazardous items in landfills.
    • Process e-waste, such as computer components containing lead or mercury.
    • Remove or limit contamination following emergencies involving hazardous substances.
    • Sort specialized hazardous waste at landfills or disposal centers, following proper disposal procedures.
Things you need to know
    • Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
    • Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
    • Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
    • Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
    • English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Abilities you'll need to have
    • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
    • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
    • Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
    • Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
    • 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.
    • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
    • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.