Profession hazardous waste technician

Hazardous waste technicians dispose of materials that have been in contact with or are ignitable, corrosive, reactive, toxic or a combination of the aforementioned hazardous traits. They remove the waste from industrial facilities or households and transport them to a treatment facility to ensure they are treated and disposed of according to regulations. They may also advise on the proper treatment of hazardous waste, and aid in the clean-up of hazardous waste spills.

Personality Type

• Realistic / Conventional

Knowledge

• Characteristics of waste

  Expertise in the different types, the chemical formulas and other characteristics of solid, liquid and hazardous waste.

• Hazardous waste types

  The different types of waste which poses risks to the environment or public health and safety, such as radioactive waste, chemicals and solvents, electronics, and mercury-containing waste.

• Hazardous materials transportation

  Regulations and safety procedures which are involved in the transportation of hazardous materials and products, such as hazardous waste, chemicals, explosives, and flammable materials.

• Waste and scrap products

  The offered waste and scrap products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

• Waste management

  The methods, materials and regulations used to collect, transport, treat and dispose of waste. This includes recycling and monitoring of waste disposal.

• Hazardous waste storage

  The regulations and procedures surrounding the safekeeping of materials and substances which pose health and safety risks.

• Hazardous waste treatment

  The methods applied in the treatment and disposal of hazardous waste such as asbestos, dangerous chemicals, and various contaminants, as well as the surrounding environmental regulations and legislation.

• Contamination exposure regulations

  The regulations concerning exposure to contaminated materials or a hazardous environment which regulate the actions surrounding risk assessment, minimisation of further exposure, quarantine, and treatment of the exposed persons.

Skills

• Ensure compliance with waste legislative regulations

  Implement and monitor company procedures for the collection, transport and disposal of waste, in compliance with all regulations and legal requirements.

• Remove contaminated materials

  Remove materials and equipment which are contaminated with hazardous substances in order to protect the surroundings from further contamination and to treat or dispose of the contaminated materials.

• Dispose of hazardous waste

  Dispose of dangerous materials such as chemical or radioactive substances according to environmental and to health and safety regulations.

• Assess waste type

  Identify waste materials during collection and sorting operations which can either be recycled, disposed of, or otherwise treated, in order to assess the way in which they need to be treated and sorted.

• Avoid contamination

  Avoid the mixing or contamination of materials.

• Store contaminated materials

  Package and store materials which pose risks to health and safety due to contamination, and awaiting disposal or treatment, in a manner compliant with safety regulations.

• Follow safety standards in industrial contexts

  Abide by safety procedures and standards for industrial contexts, mostly where machinery is involved.

• Remove contaminants

  Use chemicals and solvents to remove contaminants from products or surfaces.

• Assess contamination

  Analyse evidence of contamination. Advise on how to decontaminate.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB