hazardous-waste-technician/references/tasks.md

Tasks & work activities — hazardous waste technician

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 47-4041.00 (Hazardous Materials Removal Workers).

Task statements

• [Core] Comply with prescribed safety procedures or federal laws regulating waste disposal methods.
• [Core] Operate machines or equipment to remove, package, store, or transport loads of waste materials.
• [Core] Load or unload materials into containers or onto trucks, using hoists or forklifts.
• [Core] Clean contaminated equipment or areas for reuse, using detergents or solvents, sandblasters, filter pumps, or steam cleaners.
• [Core] Remove asbestos or lead from surfaces, using hand or power tools such as scrapers, vacuums, or high-pressure sprayers.
• [Core] Identify asbestos, lead, or other hazardous materials to be removed, using monitoring devices.
• [Core] Clean mold-contaminated sites by removing damaged porous materials or thoroughly cleaning all contaminated nonporous materials.
• [Core] Remove or limit contamination following emergencies involving hazardous substances.
• [Core] Build containment areas prior to beginning abatement or decontamination work.
• [Core] Prepare hazardous material for removal or storage.
• [Supplemental] Record numbers of containers stored at disposal sites, specifying amounts or types of equipment or waste disposed.
• [Supplemental] Drive trucks or other heavy equipment to convey contaminated waste to designated sea or ground locations.
• [Supplemental] Upload baskets of irradiated elements onto machines that insert fuel elements into canisters and secure lids.
• [Supplemental] Package, store, or move irradiated fuel elements in the underwater storage basins of nuclear reactor plants, using machines or equipment.
• [Supplemental] Organize or track the locations of hazardous items in landfills.
• [Supplemental] Operate cranes to move or load baskets, casks, or canisters.
• [Supplemental] Mix or pour concrete into forms to encase waste material for disposal.
• [Supplemental] Apply bioremediation techniques to hazardous wastes to allow naturally occurring bacteria to break down toxic substances.
• [Supplemental] Identify or separate waste products or materials for recycling or reuse.
• [Supplemental] Process e-waste, such as computer components containing lead or mercury.
• [Supplemental] Sort specialized hazardous waste at landfills or disposal centers, following proper disposal procedures.

Detailed work activities

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