Hazardous Waste Technician Science & Engineering Technicians
SaveWhat Does a Hazardous Waste Technician Do?
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.
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Where Do I Start?
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.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Hazardous Waste Technician
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialHazardous Waste Treatment knowledge
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.
Recommended Books
2 books -
EssentialWaste And Scrap Products knowledge
The offered waste and scrap products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialHazardous Materials Transportation knowledge
Regulations and safety procedures which are involved in the transportation of hazardous materials and products, such as hazardous waste, chemicals, explosives, and flammable materials.
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EssentialHazardous Waste Storage knowledge
The regulations and procedures surrounding the safekeeping of materials and substances which pose health and safety risks.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialWaste Management knowledge
The methods, materials and regulations used to collect, transport, treat and dispose of waste. This includes recycling and monitoring of waste disposal.
Recommended Books
2 books -
EssentialHazardous Waste Types knowledge
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.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialCharacteristics Of Waste knowledge
Expertise in the different types, the chemical formulas and other characteristics of solid, liquid and hazardous waste.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialContamination Exposure Regulations knowledge
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.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAssess Contamination skill
Analyse evidence of contamination. Advise on how to decontaminate.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAssess Waste Type skill
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 …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAvoid Contamination skill
Avoid the mixing or contamination of materials.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDispose Of Hazardous Waste skill
Dispose of dangerous materials such as chemical or radioactive substances according to environmental and to health and safety regulations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEnsure Compliance With Waste Legislative Regulations skill
Implement and monitor company procedures for the collection, transport and disposal of waste, in compliance with all regulations and legal requirements.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFollow Safety Standards In Industrial Contexts skill
Abide by safety procedures and standards for industrial contexts, mostly where machinery is involved.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRemove Contaminants skill
Use chemicals and solvents to remove contaminants from products or surfaces.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRemove Contaminated Materials skill
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.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialStore Contaminated Materials skill
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.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 36 displayed)
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OptionalHeating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning And Refrigeration Parts knowledge
The different parts constituing heating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems such as the different valves, fans, compressors, condensers, filters and other components.
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalRadiation Protection knowledge
The measures and procedures used to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation.
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OptionalPollution Prevention knowledge
The processes used to prevent pollution: precautions to pollution of the environment, procedures to counter pollution and associated equipment, and possible measures to protect the environment.
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalPollution Legislation knowledge
Be familiar with European and National legislation regarding the risk of pollution.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalRadiochemistry knowledge
The chemistry of radioactive materials, the way to use radioactive isotopes of elements to study the properties and chemical reactions of non-radioactive isotopes.
Recommended Books
3 books -
OptionalHydraulics knowledge
The power transmission systems that use the force of flowing liquids to transmit power.
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalRadioactive Contamination knowledge
The different causes of the presence of radioactive substances in liquids, solids, or gases or on surfaces, and the manner in which to identify the types of contaminants, their risks, …
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalDecontamination Techniques knowledge
The methods and techniques used for the decontamination of waste by removing or neutralising the harmful substance.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalPneumatics knowledge
The application of pressurised gas to produce mechanical motion.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalAdvise On Waste Management Procedures skill
Advise organisations on the implementation of waste regulations and on improvement strategies for waste management and waste minimisation, to increase environmentally sustainable practices and environmental awareness.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCollect Samples For Analysis skill
Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDocument Analysis Results skill
Document on paper or on electronic devices the process and the results of the samples analysis performed.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEnsure Compliance With Radiation Protection Regulations skill
Make sure the company and the employees implement the legal and operational measures established to guarantee protection against radiation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalFollow Nuclear Plant Safety Precautions skill
Comply with nuclear power plant safety procedures, policies and legislation to ensure a safe working environment for all employees, and to ensure the safety of the public.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalIssue Licences skill
Issue official documentation which grants licence holders with official permission to perform certain activities, after having investigated the application and processed the necessary documentation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Recycling Records skill
Maintain records and process facts and figures about type and volume of different recycling operations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMonitor Disposal Of Radioactive Substances skill
Ensure correct management and disposal of radioactive substances used for medical purposes, in compliance with established procedures.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRead Maps skill
Read maps effectively.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalReport Pollution Incidents skill
Examine the extent of the damage and consequences when an incident causes pollution, and report it to the relevant institution following pollution reporting procedures.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSort Waste skill
Manually or automatically sort waste by separating it into its different elements.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalTest Samples For Pollutants skill
Measure concentrations of pollutants within samples. Calculate air pollution or gas flow in industrial processes. Identify potential safety or health risks such as radiation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalWear Appropriate Protective Gear skill
Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalClean Up Spilled Oil skill
Safely clean up and dispose of spilled oil.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCollect Industrial Waste skill
Collect non-hazardous or hazardous waste which is produced by industrial activities, such as paints, chemicals, industrial byproducts, and radioactive waste.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDevelop Hazardous Waste Management Strategies skill
Develop strategies which aim to increase the efficiency in which a facility treats, transports, and disposes of hazardous waste materials, such as radioactive waste, chemicals, and electronics.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDevelop Radiation Protection Strategies skill
Develop strategies for facilities and organisations which are at risk for exposure to radiation or radioactive substances, such as hospitals and nuclear facilities, for the protection of people within the …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDrain Hazardous Liquids skill
Drain substances which pose health and safety risks from equipment, appliances or installations in order to store the liquids according to safety guidelines and dispose or treat them as required.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEducate On Hazardous Waste skill
Educate the public or specific organisations on the importance of correct handling of hazardous waste in order to promote public safety, ensure compliance with legislation, and raise awareness of the …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEstablish Waste Collection Routes skill
Establish and outline the routes which would ensure efficient and fast waste collection in the designated area.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalInspect Compliance With Hazardous Waste Regulations skill
Inspect an organisation's or facility's strategies which deal with the management of hazardous waste in order to ensure that their actions are compliant with relevant legislation and that measures are …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalInstruct Employees On Radiation Protection skill
Explain the various legal and operational measures established in the company against radiation, such as reducing exposure time and wearing protective gear, to the employees and communicate the emergency procedures.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Waste Collection Records skill
Maintain records on waste collection routes, scheduling, and types and volume of waste collected.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMonitor Radiation Levels skill
Use measuring and testing equipment and techniques to identify the levels of radiation or radioactive substances in order to control exposure and minimise health, safety, and environmental risks.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOperate Recycling Processing Equipment skill
Operate recycling processing equipment such as granulators, crushers and balers; process and sort materials to be recycled.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRespond To Nuclear Emergencies skill
Set in motion the strategies for reacting in the event of equipment malfunctions, errors, or other events which may lead to contamination and other nuclear emergencies, ensuring that the facility …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalTest Electrical Equipment skill
Test electrical systems, machines, and components and check electrical properties, such as voltage, current, resistance, capacitance, and inductance, using electrical testing and measuring equipment, such as a multimeter. Gather and …
Course recommendations coming soon.
