Required skills

following required radiation protection and safety procedures

following radiation safety signs

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

literacy skills to read signs and follow procedures

numeracy skills to recognise dose limits

seeking advice and further directions when faced with unexpected situations

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

Required knowledge

responsibilities of employers and employees under

relevant commonwealth guidelines such as RPS No

state or territory legislation and local regulations and bylaws

duty of care obligations

meaning of words such as radioactive decay radioactive material ionising radiation shielding safe distance contamination contamination controls decontamination

types and properties of ionising radiation eg alpha beta gamma neutron xray cosmic

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

safe working rules for assigned work tasks

layers of protection

avoiding exposure where practicable

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

engineering controls such as local exhaust ventilation to remove contaminants from work area

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

emergency health and safety procedures

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

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

Competency must be demonstrated by applying required radiation protection and work safety measures when working in an environment where sources of ionising radiation are present

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to

recognise radiation hazards and regularly assess risks associated with assigned tasks

apply the radiation control measures and safe working rules specified for assigned tasks

use and care of required personal PPE and monitoring equipment

follow instructions in the event of an emergency

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated by safely undertaking a range of relevant work tasks in an area that contains actual or simulated sources of ionising radiation

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must comply with

organisations radiation management plan and health and safety procedures

commonwealth codes such as RPS NoRecommendations for Limiting Exposure to Ionizing Radiation and National Standard for Limiting Occupational Exposure to Ionizing Radiation republished

local state and territory regulations

Access may be required to

simulated radiation training environment or registered operators site

supervision by a radiation safety professional depending on radiation sources present

appropriate PPE and personal monitoring equipment

organisations radiation management plan or standard operating procedures

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

oral questioning about the meaning of radiation terms principles of radiation protection and safety employee responsibilities safe working rules and the use and care of PPE and personal monitors

observation of the candidate safely undertaking a variety of assigned tasks in an area that contains actual or simulated sources of ionising radiation

feedback from peers andor supervisor that the candidate consistently applies relevant radiation protection and safety requirements

review of safetyincident records completed by candidate or reports of his or her safety performance

In all cases practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency that are difficult to assess directly

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role is recommended

Radiation hazards may include:

Degree of risk may involve:

Health effects may include:

Occupational dose limits may include:

Radiation protection principles may include:

Specified safe working rules will vary according to the organisation and assigned task and may include:

Personal protective equipment may include:

Personal monitoring may include:

Required standards of personal hygiene and behaviour may include:

Required records may include:

Emergency response procedures may include:

Radiation incidents may include:

Radiation protection safety standards, codes and guidelines may include: