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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Store instruments safely and securely
   • Identify state or territory requirements for storage facilities and associated document processes
   • Store instruments in accordance with state or territory requirements and documented procedures
   • Secure instruments to prevent unauthorised access
   • Record instruments' movements and usage in accordance with documented procedures
2. Transport instruments safely and securely
   • Select vehicle suitable for the purpose
   • Attach regulation signage in accordance with state or territory requirements to indicate that radioactive sources are being carried
   • Ensure that instruments are properly located and fixed securely in place
   • Ensure security of instruments when the vehicle is unattended
3. Use instruments safely and maintain security
   • Follow safe working practices to minimise own exposure to radiation
   • Use radiation dosimeter to monitor own exposure to radiation
   • Follow safe work practices to minimise exposure of others to radiation
   • Follow safe work practices to protect the instrument from damage
   • Maintain instrument security
4. Monitor radiation levels
   • Check operation and calibration status of radiation survey meter
   • Perform radiation survey following documented procedure
   • Report atypical conditions and/or problems to appropriate personnel
5. Maintain records
   • Record observations, data and results in accordance with workplace procedures
   • Maintain confidentiality of workplace information
6. Perform emergency procedures
   • Identify potential emergency situations
   • Respond to emergencies in accordance with documented procedures
   • Report emergency situations to appropriate personnel

Range Statement

This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.
Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements	Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements include the latest version of one of more of: Australian and international standards covering the competence of testing and calibration laboratories; and safety, such as AS 2243.4-1998 Safety in laboratories - Ionising radiations national standards and codes of practice for work health and safety (WHS), and national environment protection measures registration/licensing and/or National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accreditation requirements, and radiation licensing requirements Australian and international standards, codes and guidelines covering measurement management, accuracy of measurement methods and results, expression of uncertainty, principles of good laboratory practice (GLP), Australian Dangerous Goods Code, Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) Codes of Practice, and National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Guidelines workplace documents, such as standard operating procedures (SOPs); equipment manuals and warranties; calibration and maintenance schedules; material safety data sheets (MSDS) and safety procedures; material, production and product specifications; production and laboratory schedules; and recording and reporting procedures
Instruments that emit ionising radiation	Instruments that emit ionising radiation include, but are not limited to, one or more of: soil moisture and density gauges borehole logging probes fluid density and level detectors
Atypical conditions and problems	Atypical conditions and problems include, but are not limited to, one or more of: incidents during transportation on-site accidents and fire jamming of the source rod in the exposed position theft of equipment containing radioactive sources keeping other personnel clear of instrument instrument breakdown
WHS and environmental management requirements	WHS and environmental management requirements include: · complying with WHS and environmental management requirements at all times, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation. These requirements must not be compromised at any time · applying standard precautions relating to the potentially hazardous nature of samples accessing and applying current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health, where relevant

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Performance Evidence

Evidence of competence in this unit must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include demonstration of:

safely handling, storing and transporting at least one (1) instrument that emits ionising radiation in accordance with established safe work practices, laboratory procedures and licensing requirements

safely checking the operation and calibration status of at least one (1) instrument that emits ionising radiation and then operating it to conduct a radiation survey

maintaining instrument security and keeping other personnel clear of radiation sources

using a radiation dosimeter to accurately monitor personal exposure to radiation

recording and reporting instrument condition and use, observations, data and survey results in accordance with workplace procedures

recognising and reporting atypical conditions and problems to appropriate personnel promptly

following procedures for working safely, minimising environmental impacts and responding to emergency incidents and accidents.

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Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

radiation concepts and principles, including nature of radiation; different types of radiation, their characteristics, sources and shielding methods; radiation intensity; physiological effects of ionising radiation; external radiation protection and practical methods of minimising radiation exposure

methods of measuring and detecting ionising radiation

national codes of practice and state or territory licensing requirements for use of instruments that emit ionising radiation

function of key components, pre-use and calibration status checks and safe operating procedures for the instrument used

work health and safety (WHS) and emergency procedures for safe handling of radiation sources and working with the instrument used

critical elements of radiation safety, including:

time (reduce the exposure time)

distance (maintain greatest distance possible at all times)

shielding (interpose as much radiation shielding as possible between yourself and the radiation source).

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