What does an asbestos handler do?
Asbestos handler responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real asbestos handler resumes:
- Work as a asbestos and demolition laborer.
- Perform demolition of structures and walls to access insulation.
- Ensure worker maintenance of OSHA regulations in order to ensure onsite, worker safety.
- Comply with all OSHA regulations and Dow chemical plant safety policies, including wearing require personal protective equipment.
- Train laborer for asbestos abatement projects in a variety of industrial and residential work environments.
- Apply shingles, gravel and asphalt.
Asbestos handler skills and personality traits
We calculated that 33% of Asbestos Handlers are proficient in OSHA, Site Safety, and Demolition. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Physical strength, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Asbestos Handlers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- OSHA, 33%
Gained familiarity with many OSHA safety regulations.
- Site Safety, 23%
Work well with meeting deadlines, and well aware of site safety.
- Demolition, 11%
Performed demolition of structures and walls to access insulation.
- Hazardous Materials, 8%
Specialized in hazardous materials where confined entry permit are required.
- Safety Procedures, 8%
Comply with approved safety procedures, and NY and federal laws regarding hazardous waste handling, transportation and disposal.
- Hand Tools, 8%
Dismantled scaffolding and temporary walkway, using hand tools, and places plastic sheeting and disposal bags into transport bags.
Common skills that an asbestos handler uses to do their job include "osha," "site safety," and "demolition." You can find details on the most important asbestos handler responsibilities below.
Detail oriented. The most essential soft skill for an asbestos handler to carry out their responsibilities is detail oriented. This skill is important for the role because "hazmat removal workers must follow safety procedures, understand laws and regulations, and keep records of their work." Additionally, an asbestos handler resume shows how their duties depend on detail oriented: "followed strict epa guidelines involving the safe removal and disposal of hazardous materials, requiring high levels of attention to detail. "
Physical strength. Another essential skill to perform asbestos handler duties is physical strength. Asbestos handlers responsibilities require that "some hazmat removal workers lift and move heavy pieces of materials they are removing from a site." Asbestos handlers also use physical strength in their role according to a real resume snippet: "perform tasks involving physical labor at building, highway, heavy construction projects, tunnel/shaft excavations, and demolition sites. "
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Compare different asbestos handlers
Asbestos handler vs. Hazardous material specialist
A lead abatement worker specializes in removing lead-based paint and other materials on surfaces such as ceilings and walls. Their responsibilities include conducting initial assessments to create action plans, preparing protective gear and cleaning supplies, operating high-pressure sprayers and sandblasters, and safely discarding materials. Aside from physical work, a lead abatement worker usually has to climb up high places, maintain records, and train new workers. Moreover, they typically work in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for a safe and efficient workflow.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between asbestos handlers and hazardous material specialist. For instance, asbestos handler responsibilities require skills such as "hr," "demolition," "industrial maintenance," and "hazardous materials." Whereas a hazardous material specialist is skilled in "environmental health," "dot," "emergency response," and "public health." This is part of what separates the two careers.
The education levels that hazardous material specialists earn slightly differ from asbestos handlers. In particular, hazardous material specialists are 9.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an asbestos handler. Additionally, they're 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Asbestos handler vs. Waste disposal attendant
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, asbestos handler responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "osha," "hr," "site safety," and "demolition." Meanwhile, a waste disposal attendant has duties that require skills in areas such as "waste materials," "household hazardous waste," "cb," and "water tanks." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
In general, waste disposal attendants achieve similar levels of education than asbestos handlers. They're 1.6% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Asbestos handler vs. Lead abatement worker
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an asbestos handler is likely to be skilled in "site safety," "demolition," "industrial maintenance," and "hand tools," while a typical lead abatement worker is skilled in "rehabilitation," "roofing," "plumbing," and "food preparation."
Lead abatement workers earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $45,548. Comparatively, asbestos handlers have the highest earning potential in the utilities industry, with an average salary of $49,797.lead abatement workers typically earn similar educational levels compared to asbestos handlers. Specifically, they're 3.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Asbestos handler vs. Hazard waste handler
Even though a few skill sets overlap between asbestos handlers and hazard waste handlers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an asbestos handler might have more use for skills like "osha," "hr," "site safety," and "demolition." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of hazard waste handlers require skills like "storage sites," "msds," "chemical properties," and "waste containers. "
In general, hazard waste handlers hold similar degree levels compared to asbestos handlers. Hazard waste handlers are 2.1% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Updated January 8, 2025
