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.

contamination checking
testing for contamination
check for contamination
checking for contamination
contamination testing
investigating contamination
contamination investigating
test for contamination

skill/competence

cross-sector

Investigate contamination is an essential skill of the following occupations:

Nuclear technician: Nuclear technicians function as aids to physicists and engineers in nuclear laboratories and power plants. They monitor the procedures to ensure safety and quality control, and maintain equipment. They also handle and control radioactive equipment and measure radiation levels to ensure safety.
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.
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.

Investigate contamination 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.

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.
Groundwater monitoring technician: Groundwater monitoring technician monitor the environment, gathering data in the form of samples and performing tests in a laboratory or field, to investigate potential sources of pollution. They also perform maintenance tasks on the monitoring equipment.
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.
Radiation protection officer: Radiation protection officers are responsible for the protection from harmful effects caused by exposure to ionising radiation. They ensure compliance with legislation and regulations by enforcing safety measures. Furthermore they develop radiation protection plans in particular for nuclear plants and facilities.
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.
Environmental technician: Environmental technicians investigate sources of pollution and aid in the development of pollution prevention and environment protection plans. They take samples of soil, water or other materials and perform tests to analyse the pollution level and identify its source.

References

1. Investigate contamination – ESCO