Hazmat Technicians Prioritize Safety for People and the Environment
Hazmat technicians, also known as Hazardous Material Technicians, are responsible for responding to circumstances which require locating, analyzing, handling and removing harmful substances from homes or buildings. Safety of people, including themselves, as well as the impact on the environment is a top priority. Unlike other trades, given the level of exposure and potential danger, hazmat technicians need to be knowledgeable, precise, and have the skills to protect and help contain the situation, which can often be an emergency response scenario.
Let us look at some of other requirements of becoming a hazmat technician and why you might consider this career path.
- What skills do you need to become a hazmat technician?
The physical and mental requirements to be a hazmat technician are many. Firstly, you will need to prioritize your safety. This is standard practice in order to confidently deal with hazardous materials. Safety equipment includes protective chemically resistant suits, goggles, half and full faces masks, hard hats, and gloves, much of which will be disposable. This means you will be carrying extra weight and may be uncomfortable with added heat as you work, so you will need stamina. To remove hazardous waste, you will likely need to operate power tools. As you will be removing materials, you will be on your feet for an extended period, so you do need a good level of fitness.
Mentally, you will need to have knowledge of toxic waste and other hazardous materials so you can identify them, and problem solve removal solutions. Like a firefighter (and you may often be deployed with these brave folks as part of a HAZMAT team), you will need to follow a process and take precautions.
Other soft skills include communication and problem solving. As part of a team, you will need to have effective communication skills as you will be sharing and responding to information about potential issues. Considering the impact hazardous materials can have on the community and the environment, you will also need to problem solve and potentially understand how to manage crowds to keep them safe and out of danger.
- What types of materials do I need to handle and remove as a hazmat technician?
Materials may include asbestos, lead, mercury, mold, radioactive waste, and nuclear waste. Understanding and being able to identify these and other harmful materials will help guide you in how you choose to remove, transport, and dispose of them.
- How do I start a career as a hazmat technician?
You will need to do a 3-week course with our training centre. After you are done that, you will have to write an exam at any college. Once you pass the test, you will be fully certified.
To qualify to do the course, you will need to have 3 basic requirements:
- You need to have a Grade 10 high school diploma
- You have to be a permanent resident or Canadian citizen
- You need to have a SIN #
There may be additional certifications required by some employers or to work with specific types of hazardous materials, and you will need to pass a background check to work in nuclear facilities.
- What is the job outlook for a hazmat technician?
The prospects are very good if you want to join the ranks of growing hazmat technician teams. With environmental issues increasingly top of mind, corporations and public agencies are taking on greater responsibility to support and comply with clean air and energy policies. Building codes have been updated, and general consumer and public awareness around hazardous materials has increased. People are more conscious of issues impacting health and so removal of hazardous waste is a greater environmental concern which calls for more resources.
Start Your Career as a Hazmat Technician
Do you enjoy a challenge? Do you like to work with your hands instead of sitting at a desk all day, and be part of a team? Starting a career as a hazmat technician is not for the faint of heart but it can be remarkably interesting and exciting. Drawing on a combination of physical fitness and problem-solving ability based on knowledge of hazardous substances, you can work in diverse environments. Whether it is analyzing materials in an office or being called into an emergency crisis with a team, you will be helping the environment and potentially saving lives. By joining a trade union, you’ll get to train, develop your skills, earn competitive wages, and gain job security. Find out more by contacting us today.
