Assessor Resource

PSPRAD001
Work safely in a radiation environment

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit describes the skills required to apply radiation protection and work safety measures when working in an environment where sources of ionising radiation are present. This involves recognising the hazards and risks associated with working near sources of ionising radiation, interpreting and following site safety information, using specified radiation protection and safety measures, applying required operational safety measures, and responding appropriately to actual or potential emergencies.

This unit applies to those to personnel who directly handle, or come in direct contact with, radioactive materials in the mining and mineral processing industry sector and who may receive occupational exposures of greater than 1 millisievert per annum.

These personnel include drillers, miners, loader operators, plant operators, and samplers/testers, laboratory workers, operating theatre staff, contractors, sales and service engineers, who may:

undertake exploration surveys of radioactive ore bodies

extract, mill, process or pack radioactive ores, concentrates or mineral products

manage radioactive by-products, contaminants and/or waste

rehabilitate mine sites

undertake laboratory testing

undertake cabinet x-rays

service ionising radiation equipment

work in a nuclear facility

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.

Those undertaking this unit would work under direct supervision performing routine tasks, in a familiar context.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.

1. Complete site safety induction

1.1 Participate in required radiation protection and site safety training.

1.2 Confirm contact details for personnel who can provide emergency and radiation protection and safety information.

2. Recognise site radiation hazards and degree of risk

2.1 Apply information about the nature and magnitude of radiation hazards and degree of risk associated with work activities at the site.

2.2 Apply information about exposure pathways and health effects of radiation exposure.

2.3 Apply information about occupational dose limits.

2.4 Recognise possible sources of personal contamination and implement recommended decontamination procedures.

2.5 Identify hazards and risks in work area prior to starting work, at regular intervals during work, and in response to changes in working conditions.

2.6 Recognise and report non-routine hazards, unusual situations, and potential or actual emergency incidents.

3. Follow procedures for controlling radiation hazards

3.1 Implement instructions based on radiation protection principles during assigned work.

3.2 Apply specified safe working rules, and use required personal protective equipment (PPE) and personal monitoring during assigned work tasks.

3.3 Comply with all site safety signs.

3.4 Observe required standards of personal hygiene and behaviour while on site.

3.5 Seek advice or instructions to deal with any situation beyond own technical competence.

3.6 Apply specified procedures to decontaminate work surfaces and/or personnel as necessary.

3.7 Implement instructions for managing contaminated waste produced during assigned tasks.

3.8 Advise employer of previous employment involving occupational exposure to radiation and cooperate in obtaining records of previous exposure.

3.9 Complete required records and reporting.

4. Follow workplace emergency response procedures

4.1 Review information about workplace emergency response procedures and personal responsibilities in the event of a radiation incident.

4.2 Recognise emergency alarms, move to the designated muster point, and follow instructions.

5. Report problems

5.1 Recognise and report defects in plant equipment and procedures that may compromise radiation protection and safety or radiation protection safety standards, codes and guidelines.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

following required radiation protection and safety procedures

following radiation safety signs

regularly assessing and reassessing risks and hazards and applying required control measures

recognising dose limits

using and caring for PPE and personal monitoring equipment that has been issued for assigned work tasks

responding correctly when encountering contaminated work surfaces and personnel

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

responsibilities of employers and employees under:

relevant Commonwealth guidelines, including RPS No.1

state or territory legislation and local regulations and by-laws

duty of care obligations

radioactive decay, radioactive material, ionising radiation, shielding, safe distance, contamination, contamination controls, decontamination

types and properties of ionising radiation

relevant occupational dose limits

sources of hazardous radiation around the site and degree of risk of exposure or contamination

internal and external exposure pathways and protective measures

radiation health effects

location of controlled or supervised areas within the site

layers of protection:

avoiding exposure, where practicable

isolating sources of radiation where practicable through shielding, containment and remote handling techniques

engineering controls

adopting safe work practices, including work methods which make appropriate use of time, distance and shielding to minimise exposure

using approved PPE where other means of controlling exposure are not practicable

personal hygiene requirements, and effects and implications of risky behaviours

safe working rules and safe operating procedures for equipment

safety signs relevant to assigned tasks

use and care of PPE and personal monitors for assigned tasks

This unit contains no specific industry-mandated assessment conditions. Guidance on suggested and recommended conditions and methods can be found in the Implementation Guide.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.

1. Complete site safety induction

1.1 Participate in required radiation protection and site safety training.

1.2 Confirm contact details for personnel who can provide emergency and radiation protection and safety information.

2. Recognise site radiation hazards and degree of risk

2.1 Apply information about the nature and magnitude of radiation hazards and degree of risk associated with work activities at the site.

2.2 Apply information about exposure pathways and health effects of radiation exposure.

2.3 Apply information about occupational dose limits.

2.4 Recognise possible sources of personal contamination and implement recommended decontamination procedures.

2.5 Identify hazards and risks in work area prior to starting work, at regular intervals during work, and in response to changes in working conditions.

2.6 Recognise and report non-routine hazards, unusual situations, and potential or actual emergency incidents.

3. Follow procedures for controlling radiation hazards

3.1 Implement instructions based on radiation protection principles during assigned work.

3.2 Apply specified safe working rules, and use required personal protective equipment (PPE) and personal monitoring during assigned work tasks.

3.3 Comply with all site safety signs.

3.4 Observe required standards of personal hygiene and behaviour while on site.

3.5 Seek advice or instructions to deal with any situation beyond own technical competence.

3.6 Apply specified procedures to decontaminate work surfaces and/or personnel as necessary.

3.7 Implement instructions for managing contaminated waste produced during assigned tasks.

3.8 Advise employer of previous employment involving occupational exposure to radiation and cooperate in obtaining records of previous exposure.

3.9 Complete required records and reporting.

4. Follow workplace emergency response procedures

4.1 Review information about workplace emergency response procedures and personal responsibilities in the event of a radiation incident.

4.2 Recognise emergency alarms, move to the designated muster point, and follow instructions.

5. Report problems

5.1 Recognise and report defects in plant equipment and procedures that may compromise radiation protection and safety or radiation protection safety standards, codes and guidelines.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

following required radiation protection and safety procedures

following radiation safety signs

regularly assessing and reassessing risks and hazards and applying required control measures

recognising dose limits

using and caring for PPE and personal monitoring equipment that has been issued for assigned work tasks

responding correctly when encountering contaminated work surfaces and personnel

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

responsibilities of employers and employees under:

relevant Commonwealth guidelines, including RPS No.1

state or territory legislation and local regulations and by-laws

duty of care obligations

radioactive decay, radioactive material, ionising radiation, shielding, safe distance, contamination, contamination controls, decontamination

types and properties of ionising radiation

relevant occupational dose limits

sources of hazardous radiation around the site and degree of risk of exposure or contamination

internal and external exposure pathways and protective measures

radiation health effects

location of controlled or supervised areas within the site

layers of protection:

avoiding exposure, where practicable

isolating sources of radiation where practicable through shielding, containment and remote handling techniques

engineering controls

adopting safe work practices, including work methods which make appropriate use of time, distance and shielding to minimise exposure

using approved PPE where other means of controlling exposure are not practicable

personal hygiene requirements, and effects and implications of risky behaviours

safe working rules and safe operating procedures for equipment

safety signs relevant to assigned tasks

use and care of PPE and personal monitors for assigned tasks

This unit contains no specific industry-mandated assessment conditions. Guidance on suggested and recommended conditions and methods can be found in the Implementation Guide.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Participate in required radiation protection and site safety training. 
Confirm contact details for personnel who can provide emergency and radiation protection and safety information. 
Apply information about the nature and magnitude of radiation hazards and degree of risk associated with work activities at the site. 
Apply information about exposure pathways and health effects of radiation exposure. 
Apply information about occupational dose limits. 
Recognise possible sources of personal contamination and implement recommended decontamination procedures. 
Identify hazards and risks in work area prior to starting work, at regular intervals during work, and in response to changes in working conditions. 
Recognise and report non-routine hazards, unusual situations, and potential or actual emergency incidents. 
Implement instructions based on radiation protection principles during assigned work. 
Apply specified safe working rules, and use required personal protective equipment (PPE) and personal monitoring during assigned work tasks. 
Comply with all site safety signs. 
Observe required standards of personal hygiene and behaviour while on site. 
Seek advice or instructions to deal with any situation beyond own technical competence. 
Apply specified procedures to decontaminate work surfaces and/or personnel as necessary. 
Implement instructions for managing contaminated waste produced during assigned tasks. 
Advise employer of previous employment involving occupational exposure to radiation and cooperate in obtaining records of previous exposure. 
Complete required records and reporting. 
Review information about workplace emergency response procedures and personal responsibilities in the event of a radiation incident. 
Recognise emergency alarms, move to the designated muster point, and follow instructions. 
Recognise and report defects in plant equipment and procedures that may compromise radiation protection and safety or radiation protection safety standards, codes and guidelines. 
Participate in required radiation protection and site safety training. 
Confirm contact details for personnel who can provide emergency and radiation protection and safety information. 
Apply information about the nature and magnitude of radiation hazards and degree of risk associated with work activities at the site. 
Apply information about exposure pathways and health effects of radiation exposure. 
Apply information about occupational dose limits. 
Recognise possible sources of personal contamination and implement recommended decontamination procedures. 
Identify hazards and risks in work area prior to starting work, at regular intervals during work, and in response to changes in working conditions. 
Recognise and report non-routine hazards, unusual situations, and potential or actual emergency incidents. 
Implement instructions based on radiation protection principles during assigned work. 
Apply specified safe working rules, and use required personal protective equipment (PPE) and personal monitoring during assigned work tasks. 
Comply with all site safety signs. 
Observe required standards of personal hygiene and behaviour while on site. 
Seek advice or instructions to deal with any situation beyond own technical competence. 
Apply specified procedures to decontaminate work surfaces and/or personnel as necessary. 
Implement instructions for managing contaminated waste produced during assigned tasks. 
Advise employer of previous employment involving occupational exposure to radiation and cooperate in obtaining records of previous exposure. 
Complete required records and reporting. 
Review information about workplace emergency response procedures and personal responsibilities in the event of a radiation incident. 
Recognise emergency alarms, move to the designated muster point, and follow instructions. 
Recognise and report defects in plant equipment and procedures that may compromise radiation protection and safety or radiation protection safety standards, codes and guidelines. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PSPRAD001 - Work safely in a radiation environment
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

PSPRAD001 - Work safely in a radiation environment

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: