In today’s economic crisis, thousands of people around the world are looking for work. Some may need new training and skills to open doors, while others may be able to build on existing skills. Why not try a career in Hazardous Waste Cleanup?

Background

Hazardous materials and the resulting hazardous waste have plagued our society for generations. In the United States, laws and other regulations have been passed to protect workers and the general public from various chemicals, yet technicians to clean up and remediate hazardous waste sites are still needed. You too can tap into a multi-billion industry with a minimal of training.

What are you expected to do as a hazardous waste worker? Clean up someone else’s mess of course. In this profession, you will be wearing protective clothing and respiratory protection to protect yourself from dangerous byproducts. Site workers are in high demand after natural disasters, oil spills, or just for normal business ventures. Want to help the environment while supporting your family? This is the job for you.

Training Requirements

In the United States, hazardous waste cleanup and emergency response is regulated by the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Volume 29, Section 1910.120 also known as HAZWOPER for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=standards&p_id=9765. The basic training requirement for a hazardous waste site worker requires a 40 hour training course. This course is offered nationwide, and is even available on the internet, with a quick search of “HAZWOPER” 40 hour training. Once you receive the certificate, on the job training from an employer can help you round off your training. Remember that you will be required to complete eight hours of refresher training each year to maintain this training certification. In California, the California Specialized Training Institute (CSTI) and other organizations may have Homeland Security Grant funding available for some training. Check with your local Homeland Security office for more information.

Other related training which will help build your resume that is relatively easy to obtain is First Aid/CPR training. This certification will help in your job search and is available locally from American Red Cross, National Safety Council, and other certifying agencies including FMC at http://www.firemanagementconsultant.com/. Want free training to supplement your resume? The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers online training in emergency response that will greatly benefit you. Along with Hazardous Materials training, the Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) are also beneficial, particularly if you are going to be involved in government contracts, go to http://training.fema.gov/IS/crslist.asp .

Already Trained

With approximately 800,000 volunteer firefighters in the United States, there is a large group of individuals that already have some valuable training and experience. Active volunteer firefighters should have Basic Hazardous Materials training (First Responder Awareness/Operational), Incident Command System (ICS), Emergency Medical (First Aid/CPR, First Responder or EMT), along with experience in using protective clothing and respiratory protection. Why not put these skills to work as a site worker in your area? Full time firefighters looking for added income can also pursue hazardous waste jobs. Most importantly however is trying to get those in need of work certified to pursue this career and get America back to work.

Advancement

Once you get your training and some basic experience, you can pursue other more lucrative opportunities. With so many Americans out of work with advanced degrees, you can move up to supervision or management of environmental companies with that MBA or Bachelors in Business. As a large user of hazardous chemicals, the Federal government is always recruiting for hazardous waste personnel, visit http://www.usajobs.gov/ to explore these opportunities. State and local governments are also in the market, search key words such as “safety” and “environmental” to broaden your search.

Overseas companies may also have opportunities, possibly with tax benefits for United States citizens. Use your imagination, and start searching the internet today. Check search engines including http://www.simplyhired.com/  and http://www.indeed.com/ .

Other Opportunities

With your new found skills, you can begin branching out in the safety filed. Take the OSHA General Industry Safety Course (10 or 30 hours) and expand your horizons. Training in Confined Space operations will also benefit you in this field and can bring more opportunities. Training in Confined Spaces will keep you and your co-workers safe, and is readily available online and from local instructors.

Is it Safe?

Any job has some type of safety concerns. Utilize your training, coupled with common sense and good listening skills and you will do just fine. The primary risks include heat stress on your body, so be sure to hydrate and eat while working with protective clothing and respiratory protection. Use proper lifting techniques while moving heavy objects such as drums and tools, and use team work with your partner. By keeping these simple rules in mind, you are off to a safe and lucrative career in the hazardous waste industry.