Hazardous Material Worker
The program runs 5 weeks (Monday to Friday) 8:30am – 3:30pm each day. You must be able to support yourself for the duration of the program. No transportation is provided for apprenticeship training
Grade 10 or equivalent
Ministry Seat Fees: $170
Upon completion of Program: $626 – LiUNA Local 506 Initiation Fees + 3 Months Dues
General
A Hazardous Materials or Hazmat Worker, identifies, removes, packages, transports and disposes of hazardous materials such as asbestos, mould, lead, mercury, and other biological and chemical hazards.The trade is regulated by the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, where qualified individuals may obtain a Certificate of Qualification. Many older buildings and structures contain hazardous materials, and Hazmat workers are often called upon when these buildings undergo renovations or are set to be demolished. Hazmat workers may also be involved in the containment and cleanup of hazardous materials following environmental or man-made disasters.
As safeguarding human health from hazardous materials is paramount, individuals who are suited to this trade are meticulous in ensuring the complete removal of hazardous materials, able to work in a highly-structured environment with many safety protocols in place, prepared to wear full-body protective suits and respirators for extended periods of time, and capable of physical work in warm, damp conditions. Hazmat workers usually work in teams, and often perform overnight and weekend work. Overtime is not uncommon, especially for those performing emergency and disaster response work.
The Hazardous Materials Worker Apprenticeship consists of 3,000 hours in total, of which 102 hours are in-school training. The LiUNA Local 506 apprenticeship program is 150 hours. Our comprehensive 5-week program is held at the LiUNA Local 506 Training Centre in Richmond Hill, and follows the standards set out by the Skilled Trades Ontario, plus additional health and safety and training and a practical hands-on component. The program covers a broad range of topics, including:
- Mercury, lead, mould and PCBs
- Biological and physical hazards
- Asbestos Abatement Worker (253W)
- Hazard protection and equipment
- Working at Heights and WHMIS
- Lock-out / Tag-out and confined space training
- Elevating work platforms
- Respirator fit testing
You must have a minimum of Grade 10 high school education or its equivalent in order to be eligible to register for the Hazardous Materials Worker apprenticeship program. Apprentices with 3,000 hours can find information about writing the Certificate of Qualification exam to
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