Asbestos abatement worker

Asbestos abatement workers remove asbestos from buildings and other constructions, compliant with health and safety regulations concerning the handling of hazardous materials. They investigate the intensity of the asbestos contamination, prepare the structure for removal, and prevent contamination of other areas.

The following job titles also refer to asbestos abatement worker:

asbestos abatement team operative
asbestos worker
hazardous material abatement worker
asbestos removal team worker
asbestos abatement operative
asbestos removal team operative
hazardous material removal worker
hazardous materials removal worker
asbestos operative
asbestos removal operative
asbestos abatement team worker
asbestos abatement advisor
asbestos abatement assessor
asbestos contamination assessor

A high school diploma is generally required to work as an asbestos abatement worker.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Asbestos abatement worker is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to asbestos abatement worker.

decontamination worker
building exterior cleaner
refuse vehicle driver
emergency response worker
dismantling worker

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of asbestos abatement worker. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of asbestos abatement worker with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

radiation protection technician
hazardous waste technician
incinerator operator
environmental technician
liquid waste treatment plant operator

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of asbestos abatement worker.

• Contamination exposure regulations: 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.
• Health, safety and hygiene legislation: The set of health, safety and hygiene standards and items of legislation applicable in a specific sector.
• Asbestos removal regulations: The legislation and regulations surrounding the removal of asbestos contamination from buildings or structures, the safe removal of contaminated materials and the regulations to avoid and prevent contamination.

These skills are necessary for the role of asbestos abatement worker.

• Remove contaminated materials: 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.
• Disinfect surfaces: Apply the correct cleaning procedures, taking into account safe handling of disinfectants, to remove contaminants, pollutants, and bacterial risks, from various surfaces, such as buildings exteriors, vehicles, and roads.
• Assess contamination: Analyse evidence of contamination. Advise on how to decontaminate.
• Store contaminated materials: 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.
• Use personal protection equipment: Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.
• Avoid contamination: Avoid the mixing or contamination of materials.
• Remove contaminants: Use chemicals and solvents to remove contaminants from products or surfaces.
• Investigate contamination: Perform tests to investigate the properties of contamination in an area, or on surfaces and materials, in order to identify the cause, its nature, and the extent of the risk and damage.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of asbestos abatement worker. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Hazardous materials transportation: Regulations and safety procedures which are involved in the transportation of hazardous materials and products, such as hazardous waste, chemicals, explosives, and flammable materials.
• 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.
• Hazardous waste storage: The regulations and procedures surrounding the safekeeping of materials and substances which pose health and safety risks.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of asbestos abatement worker. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Ensure operability of protective equipment: Monitor and maintain the equipment used during remediation activities such as disinfection, decontamination, radiation removal or pollution control, in order to ensure that the equipment is functional and able to control the hazard and protect the remediation workers.
• Assess waste type: 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 treated and sorted.
• Assist people in contaminated areas: Assist workers in remediation activities as well as people at risk of exposure in safety operations, such as instructing on wearing protective gear, entering and leaving restricted areas, and usage of remediation equipment.
• Use solvents: Clean products or surfaces by using solvents to dissolve or extract other unnecessary substances.
• Ensure compliance with waste legislative regulations: Implement and monitor company procedures for the collection, transport and disposal of waste, in compliance with all regulations and legal requirements.
• Dispose of hazardous waste: Dispose of dangerous materials such as chemical or radioactive substances according to environmental and to health and safety regulations.
• Handle chemical cleaning agents: Ensure proper handling, storage and disposal of cleaning chemicals in accordance with regulations.
• Secure working area: Secure the operation site fixing boundaries, restricting access, placing signs and taking other measures in order to guarantee public and staff safety.
• Perform demarcation: Perform the activities involved in the creation and fixing of boundaries around a restricted area.
• Identify damage to buildings: Monitor the state of building exteriors in order to identify any possible damage and to assess the nature of the damage and treatment methods.
• Report on building damage: Report on deterioration or disturbances of a building’s exterior so that the correct authorities are made aware of the problem and plans can be made for treating the damage.
• Operate pressure washer: Operate a mechanical sprayer which makes use of high pressure to clean surfaces and rid them of contamination, paint residue, dirt and grime, and mould.
• Follow safety procedures when working at heights: Take necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures and avoid falls from ladders, mobile scaffolding, fixed working bridges, single person lifts etc. since they may cause fatalities or major injuries.

7133 – Building structure cleaners

---

References

1. Asbestos abatement worker – ESCO
2. Featured image: By ENERGY.GOV – Workers Complete Asbestos Removal at West Valley to Prepare Facility for Demolition, Public Domain