Asbestos Abatement Worker/Asbestos Abatement Technicians Job Description, Career as a Asbestos Abatement Worker/Asbestos Abatement Technicians, Salary, Employment

Education and Training: High School diploma

Salary: Median— $17.04 per hour

Employment Outlook: Fair

Asbestos abatement workers are indispensable at construction sites where buildings undergo demolition or renovation. They remove huge amounts of asbestos materials from industrial buildings, residential complex, plants, and factories. To soften asbestos, the workers spray chemicals to temper the materials. Asbestos abatement technicians are responsible for handling and removing these asbestos remains.

Asbestos abatement workers are responsible for cleaning up construction by removing asbestos from surfaces, assembling the snippets, and finally shoveling these oddments into trucks for disposal. They are responsible for sealing off the construction area in order to prevent contamination of natural resources and adjacent buildings.

During the abatement process, technicians use different types of hand and power tools. The quality of air in the area of construction requires constant monitoring. Asbestos abatement workers keep an eye on the air by putting on respirators to ensure that endurable quantities of asbestos particles are released. Workers must also be careful regarding personal safety as unhealthy and imprudent exposure to asbestos materials can prove to be detrimental leading to asbestos-related diseases. They must use personal protective suits, disposable gloves, coveralls, safety glasses, face shields and ear guards. These workers often work under certified site supervisors.

Asbestos abatement workers are required to abide by certain guidelines pertaining to hazardous waste handling norms. The technicians must be well conversant with the rules and regulations of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Workers are required to handle myriad varieties of heavy machineries like trucks and rigs, forklifts and earth-moving machinery.

Education and Training Requirements

Anybody with a high school diploma can apply for the position of asbestos abatement technician. However, the job nvolves adept handling of machinery and exposure to hazardous materials, so aspiring candidates should complete some kind of practical training course before joining. Generally, employers provide on-the-job instructions that help the employees to meet government standards. According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, employers must provide in-house training based on the guidelines outlined by OSHA.

In order to perform professionally as asbestos abatement workers, one must hold a license. Those willing to take up the profession can enroll in professional courses that teach essential asbestos removal techniques through academic instructions and hands-on training programs. While seeking employment, make sure the company has all the legal sanctions for lawful business operations.

Fundamental knowledge of mathematics is required while performing conversions and calculations to neutralize contaminants. Since the work area concerns buildings, a background in construction can often be helpful.

Getting the Job

Construction sites are where most asbestos abatement technicians are employed. Both the private and public sectors require reconstruction and demolition projects that lead to increased employment possibilities. Applicants with technical certification and practical training under their belts have better chances of getting a government job. Rookies usually start off as trainees at construction sites.

Advancement Possibilities and Employment Outlook

Contemporary construction materials are devoid of asbestos, which curbs the advancement possibilities of an asbestos abatement worker. Job openings are narrowed down to historic construction projects and Federal buildings. Asbestos abatement technicians can, however, find employment at specialty remediation companies that hire workers for the restoration and refurbishment activities at sites of historic importance.

Employment of asbestos abatement technicians and workers is expected to grow 11% from 2006 to 2016. Retirement and replacement of workers will also generate openings for newcomers. But owing to the steady fall in the use of asbestos in constructions, the demand for asbestos abatement workers is sure to suffer a decline in the coming decades.

Working Conditions

The job pattern of asbestos abatement workers and technicians requires them to be at construction sites where the working atmosphere is bound to be hazardous to health. Technicians are exposed to noxious gases and contaminants of varied types. Hence they must be very careful about following the necessary safety precautions. However, asbestos abatement workers and technicians usually work regular 40-hour weeks.

Where to Go for More Information

National Directory of AHERA Accredited Courses
US Environmental Protection Agency
EPA West Building
National Program Chemicals Division
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Mail Code 7404T
Washington DC 20460
http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/location.html

Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center
1959 NE Pacific St.
Box 356151 Seattle,
WA 98195
http://www.maacenter.org/asbestos/workplace/asbestosabatementtechs.php

Asbestos Abatement Workers Regional Local 207 – Detroit, Michigan
26465 Northline Rd.
Taylor, MI 48180
1-800-207-5622
http://www.local207.org/page3.html

Salary, Earnings and Benefits

Asbestos abatement workers are usually paid on an hourly basis. Median hourly salary of a technician varies between $13.31 and $22.75. According to research conducted in 2006, asbestos abatement technicians can earn up to a maximum of $28.45 per hour.

Licensed and unionized asbestos abatement technicians are entitled to enjoy health insurance, hospital benefits, and pension.