19. Staying Strong After Retirement | The HazMat Class B Group 4 License: A Qualification You Can Rely On in the Field

After a 38-year career as a company employee, I retired at 60 without choosing re-employment.
Since then, I have taken up a job in facility management as a new path.
My current workplace is equipped with an emergency generator that operates during power outages.
Diesel fuel is used, and it is stored in large quantities in an underground tank.
To safely maintain such equipment,

the appointment of a "Hazardous Materials Safety Supervisor" is required.

To be appointed as a Hazardous Materials Safety Supervisor, you need a Class B Group 4 (Otsu-4) Hazardous Materials Handler's license, completion of a safety training course, and at least six months of practical experience.
I decided to obtain the Otsu-4 qualification, judging that there was a high possibility I would be assigned this role in the future.
Since facility management work involves standby time, I decided not to waste that time and instead use it for studying.
The study period was about 3 months.
I didn't cram specifically; I reached the passing level by accumulating daily standby time.

Being able to earn a qualification while working—this is a major strength of the facility management job.

After obtaining the qualification, you also need to take a safety training course, but since a qualification allowance is paid,
you can fully recover the exam and training costs. The fact that learning directly leads to income is a practical benefit.
Also, with this qualification,you have the option to work at self-service gas stations,which have many job openings.

Securing a "means to work" even as you age

is a great source of peace of mind.
However, since night shifts are often a prerequisite, you need to carefully consider the balance with your physical strength.
The textbook I used is the
Kogakuin-published"Otsu-4 Hazardous Materials Handler Exam Textbook".

It is a standard industry teaching material known as the "Red Book."

The textbook and problem set are integrated, and it is compact at about 130 pages.
There is no unnecessary information, and you can reach a passing level just by repeating this one book.

I passed with just this one book.

As a note, this textbook is not sold in bookstores.
Basically, it is a direct order.
It is a textbook that only those in the know use, which a vocational training school instructor told me about.

Finally, a personal impression. The qualification "Hazardous Materials Handler Class B Group 4" has
aprofessional ringto its name.

Personally, I think it is a qualification with a professional-sounding name.

It is useful for practical work, leads to income, and you can even take a little pride in it.
If you are wondering "what to do" after retirement, obtaining such a qualification is one realistic option.
Qualifications are definitely your own weapon, regardless of age.

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