Required skills

recognising different types of monitoring equipment such as air proportional gas proportional gas ionisation GeigerMuller scintillation neutron monitors solid state and personal dosimeters badge and electronic

recognising the limitations restrictions and applicability of these various detector units

using relevant information sources to locate and interpret information about radiation sources and equipment encountered in job role or duties

conducting preuse checks for radiation instruments and monitoring equipment used in job role or duties

interpreting manuals for radiation monitoring equipment used in job role or duties

collecting labelling and preserving occupational and environmental samples if required in job role or duties

processing and analysing radiation monitoring data

regularly assessing and reassessing risks and hazards and taking appropriate protective measures

safely operating radiation instruments and monitoring equipment used in job role or duties to obtain reliable data

seeking advice and further directions when faced with unforseen circumstances or situations that may require decisions or response actions beyond technical competence

using and caring for PPE used in job role

Required knowledge

terms and concepts such as ionising radiation radioactivity radioactive material activity dose contamination contamination controls shielding halflife and radionuclide

types and properties of ionising radiation eg alpha beta gamma neutron xray and electron sources and shielding methods

definitions of radiation quantities such as exposure dose effective dose dose rate dose equivalent and dose limits

international system SI of units for radiation quantities multiples and submultiples

function of key components and operating principles of radiation instruments and monitoring equipment used in job role

guidelines and safety procedures for working with radiation sources based on principles of

reducing exposure time

maintaining greatest distance

using as much shielding as possible

health safety and workplace emergency response procedures relevant to job role or duties

techniques and procedures for collecting potentially radioactive samples if required in job role or duties

techniques for assessing radiation hazards likely to be encountered in job role or duties

techniques for conducting monitoring surveys used in job role or duties

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

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to

work safely in a radiation environment

detect ionising radiation and contamination

obtain reliable data and samples to quantify radiation and contamination

process radiation data and report results

keep accurate and complete records relevant to job role or duties

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated by safely undertaking a variety of radiation monitoring tasks involving the use of appropriate radiation monitoring equipment

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment

Assessment must comply with

local regulations regarding the registration of operators premises and sources at workplaces where radioactive materials andor ionising radiation equipment are present

organisations radiation management plan

manufacturers instructions for operating radiation monitoring equipment

Access may be required to

registered premises and sources

supervision by a radiation safety professional

radiation instruments and monitoring equipment

appropriate PPE

radiation management plan or procedures

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

oralwritten tests and calculations involving

radiation terms principles and quantities

setup calibration and basic maintenance of radiation instruments

selection and use of PPE

analysis of monitoring case studies and reports

review of radiation data results and records generated by the candidate

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

observation of the candidate

using and caring for PPE

using radiation instruments and monitoring equipment

undertaking a variety of tasks in a simulated radiation environment

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

Radiation management plans should include details of:

Hazards may include:

Monitoring equipment may include:

Safe working rules will vary according to the type of source equipment and should include monitoring details, such as:

Radiation protection safety standards, codes and guidelines may include:

Monitoring tasks may include:

Personal protective equipment may include:

Ionising radiation may include:

Instrument checks and minor maintenance may include:

Required records may include details of:

Radiation incidents may include:

Response procedures will include: