8 Key Attributes Hazardous Materials Removal Workers Need To Succeed In Their Career

by Noah Smith

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Hazardous materials removal workers 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. They may also operate earth-moving equipment or trucks.

The core tasks that hazardous materials removal workers are likely to carry out include:

Comply with prescribed safety procedures or federal laws regulating waste disposal methods.
Record numbers of containers stored at disposal sites, specifying amounts or types of equipment or waste disposed.
Drive trucks or other heavy equipment to convey contaminated waste to designated sea or ground locations.
Operate machines or equipment to remove, package, store, or transport loads of waste materials.
Load or unload materials into containers or onto trucks, using hoists or forklifts.
Clean contaminated equipment or areas for re-use, using detergents or solvents, sandblasters, filter pumps, or steam cleaners.

In order to successfully forge ahead with their careers, analysts in a survey carried out by U.S. Department of Labor (via O*NET) have marked out the following as important attributes that hazardous materials removal workers would need. These attributes have been selected from characteristics and requirements strongly associated with the occupation. They are

Abilities: Enduring attributes of the individual that influence performance
Interests: Preferences for work environments. Occupational Interest Profiles (OIPs) are compatible with Holland's (1985, 1997) model of personality types and work environments. Six interest categories are used to describe the work environment of occupations: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. An OIP consists of six numerical scores indicating how descriptive and characteristic each work environment (or interest area) is for an occupation
Knowledge: Organized sets of principles and facts applying in general domains
Skills: These include basic skills, which are developed capacities that facilitate learning or the more rapid acquisition of knowledge. Plus cross-functional skills, which are developed capacities that facilitate performance of activities that occur across jobs
Style: Personal characteristics that can affect how well someone performs a job

We have listed out attributes which were scored 80% or more in terms of importance by the analysts.

Having a strong preference for realistic work environments. Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Attribute Type: Interests Score: 95.29%

Being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 90%

Being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 85.6%

Maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 85%

Being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 84.8%

A willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 84%

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Attribute Type: Abilities Score: 82.6%

A willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 80%