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What are the Different Hazardous Materials Jobs?

Felicia Dye
Felicia Dye

There are many different types of hazardous materials. Handling them is often a sensitive and complex matter. This means that there are a variety of hazardous materials jobs. These can include technicians, drivers, and environmental lawyers. Hazardous materials jobs are often restricted to people who have special training, certifications, and licenses.

Drivers who transport hazardous materials are generally required to have commercial driver’s licenses. Additionally, these drivers may be required to have special endorsements that allow them to operate tankers and transport hazardous materials. Their responsibilities often include loading and unloading substances, reporting and handling problems according to regulations, and maintaining documentation as required by law.

Corporations may hire lobbyists to fight against more stringent regulations.
Corporations may hire lobbyists to fight against more stringent regulations.

Removal workers are people who are generally employed to eliminate hazardous materials. These people may work to rectify potential problems in buildings or in the environment. For example, these hazardous materials jobs may involve workers being employed to remove asbestos from an apartment complex. They may also be employed to decontaminate an area that has been polluted with hazardous materials.

Some large hospitals have entire staff teams tasked with managing the collection and destruction of medical waste.
Some large hospitals have entire staff teams tasked with managing the collection and destruction of medical waste.

Waste specialists can have a long list of responsibilities. These people are often involved in various parts of the handling process. They may have to develop and coordinate storage and shipping procedures. In some cases, they may develop disposal methods. These hazardous materials jobs also tend to involve a great deal of training, technical assistance, and documentation management.

Sanitation technicians sometimes use machines that destroy used needles.
Sanitation technicians sometimes use machines that destroy used needles.

Sanitation technicians have hazardous materials jobs that often deal with disposing of medical waste. These people may operate machines that destroy needles or other disposable medical supplies. They may also be responsible for emptying and sanitizing receptacles that store such waste products.

Environmental specialists are employed to help develop the regulations and laws that exist pertaining to hazardous materials. These people may be employed by government agencies or they may be contracted by the government. They generally work to determine the effect that hazardous materials have on the environment. They also often inform government bodies of the best preventative and remediation measures.

Sometimes environmental specialists work for private organizations. They may help businesses to comply with government regulations. They may help to develop and manage good practices to prevent any issues that will result in a company being held liable. It is also likely that they may act as lobbyists for corporations that are fighting against more stringent regulations.

Some lawyers also specialize in hazardous material cases. They may help to draft legislation. They may also be employed by companies that have violated laws or are being sued for environmental or health damage. Through their firms, these lawyers provide a list of other legal industry hazardous materials jobs.

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    • Corporations may hire lobbyists to fight against more stringent regulations.
      By: Andrey Burmakin
      Corporations may hire lobbyists to fight against more stringent regulations.
    • Some large hospitals have entire staff teams tasked with managing the collection and destruction of medical waste.
      By: Keith Frith
      Some large hospitals have entire staff teams tasked with managing the collection and destruction of medical waste.
    • Sanitation technicians sometimes use machines that destroy used needles.
      By: Africa Studio
      Sanitation technicians sometimes use machines that destroy used needles.