The Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Materials Maintenance Technician skill standards were originally developed in 1999 and recognized in the same year at the request of Llano Permian Environmental Services on behalf of the Hazardous Materials Management Technician Technical Advisory Committee. In compliance with TSSB policy that states that skill standards must be reviewed and updated every three to five years, the skill standards underwent a thorough review and amendment in 2004.  The TSSB granted recognition at its July 31, 2004 meeting.

Development

Originally, the skill standards were named Hazardous Materials Management Technician Skill Standards. The purpose of the skill standards development project was to refine and add value to existing national skill standards to reflect conditions unique to Texas. The project was initiated by Odessa College and guided by an industry driven group of hazardous materials management technician employers including representatives from ENSR Consulting and Engineering, Bell Helicopter Textron, Raytheon Systems, Llano Permian Environmental Services, Texaco, and Fina Oil and Chemical Company.

The skill standards were developed in 1999. Companies whose employees participated in the development included: Fort Worth Fire Department, Fina Oil and Chemical, Mexas Environmental Solutions, City of Dallas Fire Department, Compliance Solutions and others.

The skill standards were reviewed in 2004 in compliance with TSSB policy. They were amended to change the title to “Hazardous Materials Maintenance Technician”, which the experts considered a more accurate description of the occupation, to update the Occupational Knowledge, Skills, and Conditions, and to replace some outdated terminology. Experts also combined and/or deleted several key activities and one critical work function in order to reduce repetition and improve the overall quality of the skill standards.

Importance to Texas

Hazardous Materials Maintenance Technicians (HazMat technicians) identify, treat, monitor, store, and dispose of hazardous materials and conduct emergency response. They are employed by fire departments, by the waste and remediation industry, and by technical consulting companies.

Fire fighters and fire inspectors and investigators use HazMat training and skill to respond to incidents involving hazardous substances and to conduct inspections and investigations. The Texas Commission on Fire Protection requires continuing education and certification for HazMat technicians.  Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) occupational profile data indicates that firefighters earn an average statewide hourly wage of $19.18, with employment projected to grow by an estimated 29% through the year 2012.

HazMat technicians are also employed by consulting firms that conduct environmental cleanup, and waste management and remediation companies. Statewide employment in the scientific and technical consulting services industry is projected to grow by 53% through 2012 according to TWC data. The waste management industry projects 37% employment growth through the same time period. These industries rely on the skill sand training of HazMat technicians to support the services they provide to their clients.