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. May operate earth-moving equipment or trucks.
How AI Impacts Each Task
21 tasks analyzed
Build containment areas prior to beginning abatement or decontamination work.
Remove asbestos or lead from surfaces, using hand or power tools such as scrapers, vacuums, or high-pressure sprayers.
Identify asbestos, lead, or other hazardous materials to be removed, using monitoring devices.
Prepare hazardous material for removal or storage.
Record numbers of containers stored at disposal sites, specifying amounts or types of equipment or waste disposed.
Comply with prescribed safety procedures or federal laws regulating waste disposal methods.
Sort specialized hazardous waste at landfills or disposal centers, following proper disposal procedures.
Operate cranes to move or load baskets, casks, or canisters.
Drive trucks or other heavy equipment to convey contaminated waste to designated sea or ground locations.
Load or unload materials into containers or onto trucks, using hoists or forklifts.
Identify or separate waste products or materials for recycling or reuse.
Clean contaminated equipment or areas for re-use, using detergents or solvents, sandblasters, filter pumps, or steam cleaners.
Remove or limit contamination following emergencies involving hazardous substances.
Clean mold-contaminated sites by removing damaged porous materials or thoroughly cleaning all contaminated nonporous materials.
Operate machines or equipment to remove, package, store, or transport loads of waste materials.
Upload baskets of irradiated elements onto machines that insert fuel elements into canisters and secure lids.
Process e-waste, such as computer components containing lead or mercury.
Organize or track the locations of hazardous items in landfills.
Mix or pour concrete into forms to encase waste material for disposal.
Apply bioremediation techniques to hazardous wastes to allow naturally occurring bacteria to break down toxic substances.
Package, store, or move irradiated fuel elements in the underwater storage basins of nuclear reactor plants, using machines or equipment.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Build containment areas prior to beginning abatement or decontamination work. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 8% | |
| Remove asbestos or lead from surfaces, using hand or power tools such as scrapers, vacuums, or high-pressure sprayers. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 12% | |
| Identify asbestos, lead, or other hazardous materials to be removed, using monitoring devices. | 30Estimated | 39.0% | 5% | |
| Prepare hazardous material for removal or storage. | 10Estimated | 37.0% | 8% | |
| Record numbers of containers stored at disposal sites, specifying amounts or types of equipment or waste disposed. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 3% | |
| Comply with prescribed safety procedures or federal laws regulating waste disposal methods. | 70Estimated | 77.2% | 5% | |
| Sort specialized hazardous waste at landfills or disposal centers, following proper disposal procedures. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 4% | |
| Operate cranes to move or load baskets, casks, or canisters. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 3% | |
| Drive trucks or other heavy equipment to convey contaminated waste to designated sea or ground locations. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 4% | |
| Load or unload materials into containers or onto trucks, using hoists or forklifts. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 5% | |
| Identify or separate waste products or materials for recycling or reuse. | 48.32Observed | 52.3% | 3% | |
| Clean contaminated equipment or areas for re-use, using detergents or solvents, sandblasters, filter pumps, or steam cleaners. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 8% | |
| Remove or limit contamination following emergencies involving hazardous substances. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 6% | |
| Clean mold-contaminated sites by removing damaged porous materials or thoroughly cleaning all contaminated nonporous materials. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 6% | |
| Operate machines or equipment to remove, package, store, or transport loads of waste materials. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 4% | |
| Upload baskets of irradiated elements onto machines that insert fuel elements into canisters and secure lids. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 2% | |
| Process e-waste, such as computer components containing lead or mercury. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 3% | |
| Organize or track the locations of hazardous items in landfills. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 3% | |
| Mix or pour concrete into forms to encase waste material for disposal. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 3% | |
| Apply bioremediation techniques to hazardous wastes to allow naturally occurring bacteria to break down toxic substances. | 40Estimated | 43.0% | 3% | |
| Package, store, or move irradiated fuel elements in the underwater storage basins of nuclear reactor plants, using machines or equipment. | 15Estimated | 39.0% | 2% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
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Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis