A hazardous materials removal worker is a specialist who works in environments of extreme health hazards, tasked with the disposal of the various materials that can pose a risk to human life. They’re commonly abbreviated as “hazmat” workers, and usually work in teams of several highly-trained specialists. The job can be performed either manually or through the use of machines, depending on the specific circumstances of the situation. Common tasks include loading up waste materials onto a truck for transportation away from the site, filling up a spillage site with concrete, and assisting people with the evacuation procedures commonly attached to the removal of hazardous waste.
Even though a higher degree of education isn’t a requirement for becoming a hazmat worker, passing a specialized training course is, in most cases. Those courses are commonly offered by either the employers themselves, or by independent companies working in the field. Either way, most governments require candidates for the position to have taken at least one such course and completed it successfully.
Hazardous materials removal workers don’t earn as much as one would presume based on the nature of the job – in reality, the salary ranges between $35,000 and $42,000, with some additional bonuses offered infrequently based on an individual’s recent performance. Of course, it comes with some good deals for health insurance plans, but this alone is rarely enough to secure a good deal that makes the job worth it for most people.