Hazardous Materials Removal Workers

Specific duties and responsibilities regularly performed in this occupation.

• Remove asbestos or lead from surfaces, using hand or power tools such as scrapers, vacuums, or high-pressure sprayers.89
• Build containment areas prior to beginning abatement or decontamination work.87
• Prepare hazardous material for removal or storage.84
• Comply with prescribed safety procedures or federal laws regulating waste disposal methods.83
• Identify asbestos, lead, or other hazardous materials to be removed, using monitoring devices.79
• Record numbers of containers stored at disposal sites, specifying amounts or types of equipment or waste disposed.78
• Clean contaminated equipment or areas for reuse, using detergents or solvents, sandblasters, filter pumps, or steam cleaners.77
• Clean mold-contaminated sites by removing damaged porous materials or thoroughly cleaning all contaminated nonporous materials.75
• Operate machines or equipment to remove, package, store, or transport loads of waste materials.74
• Load or unload materials into containers or onto trucks, using hoists or forklifts.71
• Remove or limit contamination following emergencies involving hazardous substances.71
• Sort specialized hazardous waste at landfills or disposal centers, following proper disposal procedures.70

Developed capacities that facilitate learning or the more rapid acquisition of knowledge.

• Monitoring63

  Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

• Critical Thinking56

  Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

• Active Listening53

  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.

• Coordination50

  Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

• Judgment and Decision Making50

  Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

• Operation and Control50

  Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

• Operations Monitoring50

  Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

• Reading Comprehension50

  Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

• Speaking50

  Talking to others to convey information effectively.

• Time Management50

  Managing one's own time and the time of others.

• Active Learning47

  Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

• Complex Problem Solving47

  Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Organized sets of principles and facts that apply in general domains.

• Public Safety and Security72

  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.

• Customer and Personal Service71

  Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

• Administration and Management66

  Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

• Education and Training63

  Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

• English Language57

  Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

• Transportation56

  Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

• Chemistry55

  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.

• Law and Government54

  Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

• Mechanical53

  Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

• Administrative52

  Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

• Building and Construction51

  Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

• Production and Processing51

  Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Enduring attributes of the individual that influence performance.

• Problem Sensitivity75

  The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

• Oral Comprehension66

  The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

• Control Precision63

  The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

• Deductive Reasoning63

  The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

• Near Vision63

  The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

• Arm-Hand Steadiness60

  The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

• Category Flexibility60

  The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

• Information Ordering60

  The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

• Inductive Reasoning56

  The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

• Manual Dexterity56

  The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

• Oral Expression56

  The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

• Multilimb Coordination53

  The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

General types of job behaviors occurring on multiple jobs.

• Getting Information78

  Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events70

  Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems68

  Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates67

  Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials66

  Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings65

  Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards61

  Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work59

  Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

• Performing General Physical Activities59

  Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment56

  Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

• Thinking Creatively56

  Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others55

  Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Personal characteristics that can affect how well someone performs a job.

• Cautiousness91

  A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related decisions or doing work.

• Attention to Detail90

  A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.

• Dependability88

  A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

• Stress Tolerance75

  A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.

• Integrity74

  A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

• Perseverance66

  A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in the face of difficult circumstances or obstacles at work.

• Self-Control60

  A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in response to criticism or difficult situations at work.

• Adaptability42

  A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas at work.

• Cooperation38

  A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.

• Self-Confidence31

  A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control one's work-related outcomes.

• Achievement Orientation29

  A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, set high work-related standards, and exert high effort toward meeting those goals and standards.

• Sincerity19

  A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, without concern for personal gain or self-interest.

Holland's six occupational interest types (RIASEC) this work tends to attract.

• Realistic100

  Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

• Conventional56

  Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

• Investigative26

  Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

• Social8

  Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

• Enterprising3

  Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

• Artistic0

  Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work.

• Health and Safety of Other Workers

  • Very high responsibility57%
  • High responsibility43%

• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

  • Every day58%
  • Once a week or more but not every day32%

• Telephone Conversations

  • Every day61%
  • Once a week or more but not every day25%
  • Once a month or more but not every week14%

• Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

  • Extremely important61%
  • Very important25%

• Contact With Others

  • Constant contact with others55%
  • Contact with others most of the time35%

• Physical Proximity

  • Very close (near touching)41%
  • Moderately close (at arm's length)55%

• Time Pressure

  • Every day51%
  • Once a week or more but not every day39%

• Frequency of Decision Making

  • Every day68%
  • Once a week or more but not every day18%

• Spend Time Standing

  • Continually or almost continually51%
  • More than half the time27%
  • About half the time22%

• Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection

  • Every day69%

• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

  • Extremely important37%

• Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers

  • Very high responsibility27%
  • High responsibility70%

Education levels O*NET survey respondents in this occupation most often reported having.

• Less than high school diploma
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Some college, no degree

Specific software and technology tools commonly used on the job.

• Spreadsheet software

  Microsoft Excel

• Presentation software

  Microsoft PowerPoint

• Data base user interface and query software

  Database software, Xactware Xactimate

• Electronic mail software

  Microsoft Outlook

• Enterprise resource planning ERP software

  SAP software

• Enterprise application integration software

  Jenkins CI

• Facilities management software

  Computerized maintenance management system software CMMS

• Office suite software

  Microsoft Office software

• Word processing software

  Microsoft Word

• Inventory management software

  Inventory management systems

Organizations related to this occupation, such as industry and licensing bodies.

• Nuclear Energy Institute
• Laborers' International Union of North America
• United Steelworkers

Occupations that call for similar work and worker requirements.

• Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
• Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
• Highway Maintenance Workers
• Miscellaneous construction workers, including solar photovoltaic installers, septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners
• Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
• Insulation Workers
• Construction Laborers
• Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters
• Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers
• Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment
• Miscellaneous life, physical, and social science technicians, including social science research assistants
• Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters
• Environmental Engineers
• Construction equipment operators except paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
• Miscellaneous life, physical, and social science technicians, including social science research assistants
• Other Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
• Industrial Engineers, including Health and Safety
• Miscellaneous Plant and System Operators

More specific, granular versions of the Work Activities above.

• Prepare hazardous waste for processing or disposal.
• Assemble temporary equipment or structures.
• Inspect work sites to identify potential environmental or safety hazards.
• Record operational or environmental data.
• Decontaminate equipment or sites to remove hazardous or toxic substances.
• Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
• Load or unload materials used in construction or extraction.
• Drive trucks or truck-mounted equipment.
• Apply new technologies to improve work processes.
• Mix substances or compounds needed for work activities.
• Pour materials into or on designated areas.