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.

treatment of hazardous waste
treatment for hazardous waste
remediation of hazardous waste
remediating hazardous waste
treating hazardous waste
remediation for hazardous waste

knowledge

cross-sector

Hazardous waste treatment is an essential knowledge of the following occupations:

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.
Hazardous materials inspector: Hazardous materials inspectors inspect facilities which handle hazardous materials to ensure compliance to health and safety regulations, and hazardous materials handling legislation. They investigate violations, oversee tests of emergency and risk response plans, and consult on the improvement of the facilities’ operations and procedures, as well as on hazardous materials regulations. They also advise plants on potential sources of danger to a community, and on better safety regulations.
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.
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.
Hazardous waste inspector: Hazardous waste inspectors inspect industrial sites to ensure they adhere to waste disposal legislation, and inspect their equipment to see if it is operational and functions according to regulations. They also aim to educate the public on hazardous substances and on hazardous waste handling regulations.

Hazardous waste treatment is optional for these occupations. This means knowing this knowledge may be an asset for career advancement if you are in one of these occupations.

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.
Electricity and energy vocational teacher: Electricity and energy vocational teachers instruct students in their specialised field of study, electricity and energy, which is predominantly practical in nature. They provide theoretical instruction in service of the practical skills and techniques the students must subsequently master for a electricity and energy-related profession. Electricity and energy vocational teachers monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate their knowledge and performance on the subject of electricity and energy through assignments, tests and examinations.
Occupational health and safety inspector: Occupational health and safety inspectors perform workplace audits to ensure compliance with government and environment legislation. They also investigate work accidents. Occupational health and safety inspectors interview employees to ensure the work environment is compliant with health and safety rules, inspect the physical work site and analyse legal paperwork.
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.
Waste management officer: Waste management officers advise and enforce regulations on facilities managing waste disposal, collection and recycling. They develop and implement rules and evaluate the compliance with existsing legislation.
Industrial waste inspector: Industrial waste inspectors conduct controls in companies to ensure they comply with waste and environmental regulations. They check the documentation related to waste management, they collect samples for analysis and observe the industrial practices. They may advise or preventive or corrective actions to improve industrial waste management and disposal.
Environmental engineer: Environmental engineers integrate environmental and sustainable measures in the development of projects of various natures. They seek to preserve natural resources and natural sites. They work together with engineers from other fields to envision all the implications that projects might have in order to design ways to conserve natural reserves, prevent pollution, and deploy sanitary measures.
Civil engineer: Civil engineers design, plan, and develop technical and engineering specifications for infrastructure and construction projects. They apply engineering knowledge in a vast array of projects, from the construction of infrastructure for transportation, housing projects, and luxury buildings, to the construction of natural sites. They design plans that seek to optimise materials and integrate specifications and resource allocation within the time constraints.

References

1. Hazardous waste treatment – ESCO