Dispose of hazardous waste

Dispose of dangerous materials such as chemical or radioactive substances according to environmental and to health and safety regulations.

eliminate dangerous waste
remove hazardous waste
dispose of dangerous materials
get rid of hazardous waste
dispose of dangerous waste

skill/competence

cross-sector

Dispose of hazardous waste is an essential skill of the following occupations:

Construction painter: Construction painters paint the interior and exterior of buildings and other structures. They may use standard latex based paints or specialised paints for decorative effect or protective properties. Building painters are skilled in using brushes, paint rollers and paint sprayers for different applications.
Industrial firefighter: Industrial firefighters are responsible for emergency response in case of a fire outbreak or other hazardous situations in industrial areas or facilities. They actively respond to contain fires and the outbreak of other hazardous substances to protect the industrial crews and premises. They ensure the industrial facility complies with health and safety regulations. They also regulate the clean-up of the scene and assess the damage.
Pesticides sprayer: Pesticides sprayers mix pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, and other chemical solutions, and apply them via technical equipment such as sprayers on trees, plants and lawns. They clean and maintain operating machinery and ensure the overall safety in designated areas.
Road marker: Road markers apply markings to roads to increase safety, indicate traffic regulations, and help road users find the way. They use different pieces of machinery to paint lines onto the road and install other markings such as reflective cat’s eyes.
Transport equipment painter: Transport equipment painters use painting machines and hand tools to coat individual parts and to paint the surface of all types of transport equipment such as cars, buses, boats, aircraft, motorcycles and railway cars. They prepare the surface of the pieces for the paint and apply the coaat. Transport equipment painters can perform industrial painting or individual customisation. They may also remove or repair painting errors such as scratches.
 
Hazardous waste technician: 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.
Dismantling worker: Dismantling workers perform the dismantling of industrial equipment, machinery and buildings as instructed by the team leader. They use heavy machinery and different power tools depending on the task. At all times safety regulations are taken into account.

Dispose of hazardous waste is optional for these occupations. This means knowing this skill may be an asset for career advancement if you are in one of these occupations.

Coating machine operator: Coating machine operators set up and tend coating machines that coat metal products with a thin layer of covering of materials such as lacquer, enamel, copper, nickel, zinc, cadmium, chromium or other metal layering in order to protect or decorate the metal products’ surfaces. They run all coating machine stations on multiple coaters.
Gear machinist: Gear machinists make precision parts for gears and other driving elements. They use a variety of machine tools.
Automotive battery technician: Automotive battery technicians assemble, install, inspect, maintain and repair batteries in motor vehicles. They use electrical test equipment to confirm good working condition after installation. They evaluate batteries to determine the nature of power problems. They also prepare old batteries for disposal.
Fluid power technician: Fluid power technicians install and assemble equipment that uses liquid or gas pressure to transmit or regulate power. They also perform tests on and maintain this equipment.
Chemist: Chemists perform laboratory research by testing and analysing the chemical structure of substances.They translate the research results into industrial production processes which are further used in the development or improvement of products. Chemists are also testing the quality of the manufactured products and their environmental impact.
Waste management supervisor: Waste management supervisors coordinate waste collection, recycling, and disposal facilities. They supervise waste management operations, ensuring compliance with environmental standards, and oversee staff. They aid in the development of waste management methods, aiming for increased waste reduction, and aid in the prevention of violations of waste treatment legislation.
Semiconductor processor: Semiconductor processors manufacture electronic semiconductors as well as semiconductor devices, such as microchips or integrated circuits (IC’s). They may also repair, test, and review the products. Semiconductor processors work in cleanrooms and therefore need to wear a special lightweight outfit that fits over their clothing to prevent particles from contaminating their worksite.
Dental instrument assembler: Dental instrument assemblers assemble various dental instruments, such as drills, lasers, probes, mirrors, and dental imaging devices. They use various machinery, hand tools, chemicals, adhesives and epoxies to assemble the dental instruments. They use precision tools and work in cleanroom environments.
Radiation protection technician: Radiation protection technicians monitor radiation levels in buildings and facilities to ensure compliance with health and safety standards, and to prevent dangerous elevations in the radiation level. They take measures to minimise radiation emissions, and to prevent further contamination in the event of radiation pollution, by developing radiation protection plans, in particular for nuclear plants and facilities.
Liquid waste treatment plant operator: Liquid waste treatment technicians remove hazardous chemicals and pollutants from liquid waste such as oil so that it can be safely used for new applications. They operate and maintain liquid waste treatment equipment, monitor operations, and test samples to ensure the safety standards are met.
Lacquer maker: Lacquer makers operate and maintain laquers and syntetic paints mixers and jar mills, making sure the end product is according to formula.
Refuse vehicle driver: Refuse vehicle drivers drive the large vehicles used for refuse collection. They drive the vehicles from the homes and facilities where the refuse is collected by the refuse collectors on the lorry and transport the waste to the waste treatment and disposal facilities.
Industrial machinery mechanic: Industrial machinery mechanics work on new machinery and equipment in operation. They set up for the specific application and build accessories if necessary, perform maintenance and repair, and run diagnostics to find faults in systems or parts that need replacing.
Building cleaner: Building cleaners maintain the cleanliness and overall functionality of various types of buildings such as offices, hospitals and public institutions. They perform cleaning duties like sweeping, vacuuming and mopping floors, empty trash and check security systems, locks and windows. Building cleaners check air conditioning systems and notify the appropriate persons in case of malfunctions or problems.
Chemical engineering technician: Chemical engineering technicians transform raw materials in order to develop and test chemical products. They also work on improving chemical plant operations and processes.
Electrical equipment assembler: Electrical equipment assemblers are responsible for the assembly of electrical equipment. They assemble product components and wiring according to the blueprints.
Incinerator operator: Incinerator operators tend incineration machines which burn refuse and waste. They ensure the equipment is maintained, and that the incineration process occurs in accordance with safety regulations for the incineration of waste.
Bleacher operator: Bleacher operators tend a machine that bleaches wood pulp to serve in the production of white paper. Different bleaching techniques are used to complement the various pulping methods, and to obtain different grades of whiteness.
Battery test technician: Battery test technicians use positive and negative wired plugs to test battery’s resistance capacity. They also test rejected batteries to determine their flaws.
Paper machine operator: Paper machine operators tend a machine that takes in pulp slurry, spread it out over a screen, and drains out the water. The drained slurry is then pressed and dried to produce paper.
Recycling worker: Recycling workers clean materials and remove waste, and ensure the waste and collected materials are sorted in the appropriate recycling containers. They also dismantle vehicles and sort the parts collected, and deposit recyclable materials onto conveyor belts where they can be further sorted.
Surface-mount technology machine operator: Surface-mount technology machine operators use surface-mount technology (SMT) machines to mount and solder small electronic components onto printed circuit boards to create surface-mounted devices (SMD).
Dismantling supervisor: Dismantling supervisors monitor the operations involved in dismantling activities such as removing and possibly recycling industrial equipment and machinery or decommissioning of plants. The distribute the task among workers and supervise if everything is done according to safety regulations. If problems arise they consult with engineers and take quick decisions to resolve problems.
Electronic equipment assembler: Electronic equipment assemblers are responsible for the assembly of electronic equipment and systems. They assemble electronic components and wiring according to blueprints and assembly drawings. They may assist in quality inspection and equipment maintenance.
Construction painting supervisor: Construction painting supervisors plan, direct and oversee the work of the crew of painters assigned to a certain project or location. They supervise and evaluate the work of painters.
Battery assembler: Battery assemblers are welding and assembling the battery components such as electronics parts, wiring, and casing around the cells.
Dredging supervisor: Dredging supervisors monitor dredging operations. They make sure the operation proceeds per regulations and take quick decisions to resolve problems.
Heating engineer: Heating engineers install and maintain gas, electric, oil, solid-fuel and multiple fuel heating and ventilation equipment as stand-alone heating and ventilation systems or build into machinery and transport equipment. They follow instructions and blueprints, perform maintance on systems, perform safety checks and repair the systems.
Froth flotation deinking operator: Froth flotation deinking operators tend a tank that takes in recycled paper and mixes it with water. The solution is brought to a temperature around 50°C Celsius, after which air bubbles are blown into the tank. The air bubbles lift ink particles to the surface of the suspension and form a froth that is then removed.
Lacquer spray gun operator: Lacquer spray gun operators operate lacquer spray guns designed to provide otherwise finished metal, wooden or plastic workpieces with a hard, durable finishing coat, through lacquer coating or paint that is either matte, sheen or highly glossy, but is always meant for hard surfaces.
Heating, ventilation, air conditioning (and refrigeration) service engineer: Heating, ventilation, air conditioning (and refrigeration) service engineers install and maintain industrial heating, air conditioning and possibly refrigeration systems. They set up furnaces, thermostats, ducts, vents, and other equipment needed to ensure the controlled passage and treatment of air. They also carry out repairs.
Materials handler: Materials handlers execute the handling and storage of materials through activities such as loading, unloading and moving articles in a warehouse or storage room. They work according to orders to inspect materials and provide documentation for the handling of items. Materials handlers also manage inventory and ensure the safe disposal of waste.
Marine mechanic: Marine mechanics are in charge of the engines and mechanical parts of the vessel and replace defective equipment and parts. They communicate with other crew members on the operational level. Marine mechanics maintain and repair the engines and the other machinery of vessels such as boilers, generators and electrical equipment.
Wash deinking operator: Wash deinking operators operate a tank where recycled paper is mixed with water and dispersants to wash out printing inks. The solution, called a pulp slurry, is then dewatered to flush out the dissolved inks.
Firefighter: Firefighters are responsible for emergency response in case of a fire outbreak or other hazardous situations. They oversee the evacuation of the endangered premises and ensure victims are rescued and taken care of by the appropriate professionals. Once the premises are clear of victims, they ensure the fire is extinguished, compliant with health and safety regulations. They also regulate the clean-up of the scene and assess the damage.
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.
Electrical engineering technician: Electrical engineering technicians work together with electrical engineers in electrical engineering research. They perform technical tasks and aid in the designing, testing, manufacturing and operation of electrical devices and facilities.

Demolition supervisor: Demolition supervisors monitor operations involved in the demolition of buildings and clean up of debris. They take quick decisions to resolve problems.
Wood caulker: Wood caulkers drive oakum into the seams between planking in deck or hull of wooden ships to make them watertight. They mainly use hand tools to heat marine glue and force it into the seams. They can also hammer hemp ropes and cotton lines into the seams and smear hot pitch over them.
Wood treater: Wood treaters apply treatments to wood to make it resistant to environmental factors like mould, cold, moisture, or staining. Treatments may also contribute to the colour of the wood. Wood treaters may use chemicals, heat, gasses, UV light, or a combination of these to treat wood.
Rustproofer: Rustproofers use the proper equipment and machinery to provide metal workpieces with a hard, durable finishing coat, composed of specific chemical formulas, that prevents or delays iron and steel pieces from rusting and protects against corrosion.
Electroplating machine operator: Electroplating machine operators set up and tend electroplating machines designed to finish and coat the metal workpieces’ (such as future pennies and jewelry) surface by using electric current to dissolve metal cations and to bond a thin layer of another metal, such as zinc, copper or silver, to produce a coherent metal coating to the workpiece’s surface.
Decontamination worker: Decontamination workers remove and dispose of hazardous materials, such as radioactive materials or contaminated soil. They handle hazardous materials in compliance with safety regulations, investigate causes of contamination, and remove the contamination from the structure or site.
Spring maker: Spring makers operate a variety of equipment and machinery designed to manufacture different types of spring, including leaf, coil, torsion, clock, tension, and extension spring.
Digester operator: Digester operators, or cooks, cook wood chips with soda ash or acid to separate the wood pulp from unwanted constituents. They test the resulting solution.
Paper engineer: Paper engineers ensure an optimal production process in the manufacture of paper and related products. They select primary and secondary raw materials and check their quality. In addition, they optimize machinery and equipment usage as well as the chemical additives for paper making.
Varnish maker: Varnish makers operate equipment and mixers for varnish production, by melting, mixing and cooking the required chemical ingredients, according to specifications.
Wire harness assembler: Wire harness assemblers bind wires or cables to form wire harnesses used in electronic and electrical systems and equipment. They read electrical wiring plans and tie the wire together according to specifications, using cable ties, cable lacing, electrical conduit, and sleeves.
Dip tank operator: Dip tank operators set up and tend dip tanks, which are coating machines, designed to provide otherwise finished work pieces with durable coating by dipping them in a tank of a specific sort of paint, preservative or molten zinc.
Precision mechanic: Precision mechanics manufacture precision metal components for machines and assemble them into functional units. They also build electronic measuring and control components. Precision mechanics use milling, drilling, grinding and honing machines.
Printed circuit board assembler: Printed circuit board assemblers read blueprints and drawings to assemble printed circuit boards. They use hand- and automated soldering tools and machines to connect electronic components to the board.
Demolition worker: Demolition workers operate equipment to demolish structures. They safely destroy buildings and remove the debris to permit the site to be used for a different purpose.
Refuse collector: Refuse collectors remove waste from homes and other facilities and put it in the bin lorry so it can be transported to a treatment and disposal facility. They assist the driver of the bin lorry, help unload the waste, and record the amount of refuse collected. They may also collect waste from construction and demolition sites, and hazardous waste.
Anodising machine operator: Anodising machine operators set up and tend anodising machines designed to provide otherwise finished metal workpieces, usually aluminum-based, with a durable, anodic oxide, corrosion-resistant finishing coat, by a electrolyctic passiviation process that increases the thickness of the natural oxide layer of the metal workpieces’ surface.
Emergency response worker: Emergency response workers work in missions to aid in emergency and disaster situations, such as natural disasters or oil spills. They clean up the debris or waste caused by the event, ensure the people involved are brought to safety, prevent further damage, and transport goods such as food and medical supplies.
Electrical cable assembler: Electrical cable assembler manipulate cables and wires made of steel, copper, or aluminium so they can be used to conduct electricity in a variety of appliances.
Agricultural machinery technician: Agricultural equipment technicians repair, overhaul and maintain agricultural equipment including tractors, tillage equipment, seeding equipment and harvesting equipment. They perform evaluations of the equipment, perform preventive maintenance activities and repair faults.
Solid waste operator: Solid waste operators operate and maintain solid waste treatment and distribution equipment, and test samples to monitor pollution. They assist in the collection and disposal of solid waste, such as construction and demolition debris, and ensure treatment is compliant to safety regulations. They ensure community waste containers are emptied, ensure proper differentiation between waste which needs to be recycled or disposed of, and monitor equipment.
Sorter labourer: Sorter labourers sort recyclable materials and waste from a recycling stream, and ensure no unsuitable materials wind up among the recyclable materials. They inspect the materials and perform cleaning duties, and work in compliance with waste regulations.

References

1. Dispose of hazardous waste – ESCO