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Decontamination and Decommissioning Operator (D and D Operator)

Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
Description
Perform facility decontamination and decommissioning by dismantling, decontaminating, packaging, and shipping hazardous and radiological materials and components from retired systems and structures. Apply ALARA and regulatory controls while operating cutting, lifting, and earth-moving equipment and maintaining containments, ventilation, and waste management. Requires specialized training and certifications such as HAZWOPER, Radiological Worker, respirator use, and confined space or lockout/tagout permits.
  • • Follow OSHA, NRC/DOE, EPA, DOT, and site D and D safety procedures and ALARA controls.
  • • Participate in pre-job briefs; work under RWPs, JSAs, and confined space permits.
  • • Perform radiological contamination and dose-rate surveys with approved instruments.
  • • Build soft-wall containments, glovebags, and negative-air systems with HEPA filtration.
  • • Decontaminate structures and equipment using HEPA vacuums, scabbling, blasting, or chemical and high-pressure washing.
  • • Cut, segment, and remove piping, tanks, and structural components using saws, shears, torches, or remote tools.
  • • De-energize, drain, and isolate systems; perform lockout/tagout.
  • • Characterize, package, label, and stage waste per RCRA/DOT/NRC/DOE requirements.
  • • Load or unload waste and materials using forklifts, hoists, or cranes.
  • • Operate trucks or other equipment to move debris and waste to on-site staging or disposal areas.
  • • Maintain waste logs, container counts, and chain-of-custody records.
  • • Collect wipe, smear, air, and bulk samples to support characterization and release.
  • • Clean and decontaminate tools, equipment, and work areas for reuse or release.
  • • Abate asbestos, lead-based paint, PCBs, and mercury in accordance with permits and procedures.
  • • Apply fixatives or encapsulants to stabilize residual contamination and control spread.
  • • Install and monitor ventilation and air filtration to maintain negative pressure and capture contaminants.
  • • Rig, signal, and operate lifting devices to move contaminated components and waste casks.
  • • Mix, pour, or inject grout or concrete to stabilize structures, voids, or waste packages.
  • • Segregate materials for recycling, reuse, or disposal by waste stream and contamination level.
  • • Support spill response, emergency decon, and post-job surveys.
  • • Prepare areas for decommissioning and demolition, including shielding, barriers, and signage.
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Source
Tasks & skills: O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge). Learn more
Sources & Standards: This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
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