Asbestos Abatement Technicians

Asbestos abatement technicians work indoors at various locations, most often office buildings and schools. They usually work a 40-hour week, although shift work is not uncommon, particularly if there is a deadline. For example, removal of asbestos from a school most likely will take place during the summer and have to be completed before school starts in the fall. An asbestos removal project may take several days or weeks.

This type of work is not for the claustrophobic. Technicians work in small, cramped enclosures, requiring them to stand, stoop, kneel, and climb on scaffolding. They wear protective suits that fully cover the body, including head, hands, and face. The protective clothing, which can be hot and uncomfortable, must be worn for several hours at a time. Working with hand tools and instruments while wearing gloves and face masks can be awkward, but technicians must do it with great care and attention to detail.

Asbestos abatement technicians work in a highly structured environment. There are strict regulations about asbestos removal, and workers follow specific steps in a carefully planned order to minimize risk to themselves and the environment. There are procedures not only for the actual asbestos removal, but also for dressing in protective clothing, entering and exiting work spaces, and removal and disposal of clothing at the end of a shift.