Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

PSPRAD303 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Handle and transport radioactive material

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency PSPRAD303 - Handle and transport radioactive material
Description This unit covers the ability to safely pick up and deliver an item containing radioactive material. This involves checking the item and paperwork before transport; loading, segregating and unloading; safely and securely transporting; and handing the material over to the user or consignee.These tasks may be performed with the authorisation of the competent authority in the Australian states or territories in which the transport occurs and in accordance with relevant radiation protection and safety codes, regulations and guidelines.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency applies to personnel who handle and transport materials, articles, instruments and/or containers that emit ionising radiation within Australia by road, rail, waterways, sea or air.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable.
Competency Field Radiation Safety.
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Prepare for pick-up of items
  • Ensure compliance with licence, permit and vehicle requirements that apply to carrier of consigned items.
  • Confirm pick-up arrangements and specific requirements for loading, segregation, stowage, carriage, handling and unloading of the items.
  • Check that vehicle and communication devices are in good working order.
  • Ensure that required emergency response information is in vehicle cabin.
       
Element: Check items prior to transport
  • Check that each item is intact.
  • Quarantine any item not safe for transport or with inconsistent paperwork, and promptly advise relevant personnel.
  • Check that size, weight, contents, packaging and label information for each item matches accompanying consignor's declaration.
  • Check that carrier copies of required transport documents are present, accurate and complete.
  • Obtain confirmation that non-fixed external contamination of items does not exceed specified limit.
  • Obtain confirmation that maximum radiation level from any surface of items does not exceed specified limit.
       
Element: Safely stow and transport items
  • Apply organisation's radiation protection and safety procedures and manual safe-handling procedures when handling items.
  • Ensure that each item is securely stowed and segregated in accordance with consignor's instructions, and relevant codes and regulations.
  • Record receipt of items in accordance with organisation's procedures.
  • Ensure that required dangerous goods signs/placards are attached to vehicle in correct positions.
  • Deliver items using agreed routes and schedules and in accordance with organisation's procedures.
  • Ensure security of items when vehicle is unattended.
  • Arrange for safe, secure storage of items in accordance with the relevant code during extended stops or breaks in transit, during trans-shipment and if delivery cannot be completed.
       
Element: Complete delivery of items
  • Check that each item is intact and matches consignor's declaration before handover to user or consignee.
  • Quarantine any item that has visible damage or inconsistent paperwork and promptly advise relevant personnel.
  • Advise user or consignee of any specified requirements for the safe and secure interim storage of items.
  • Complete and file relevant transport documents.
       
Element: Respond to potential or actual emergency incidents
  • Recognise unusual situations, unexpected hazards, and potential or actual emergency incidents.
  • Inform relevant personnel about the situation, hazard or incident and seek their advice.
  • Initiate appropriate workplace emergency first response in accordance with instructions, radiation management plans and organisation's response procedures.
       


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.

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:

handle and transport radioactive material in accordance with the organisation's procedures, based on relevant safe transport regulations, codes and guidelines

provide appropriate workplace emergency first response

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated by safely delivering a variety of items containing radioactive material and completing relevant documents.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

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

Assessment must comply with:

organisation's radiation management/transport plan and health and safety procedures

commonwealth regulations and codes such as:

RPS No.2 Code of Practice for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (2008)

RPS No.2.1 Safety Guide for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (2008)

local, state and territory regulations

Access may be required to:

relevant organisation procedures, local regulations and codes, forms, packages and labels

supervision by an experienced carrier

radiation protection and safety procedures, required PPE and monitoring equipment

dummy sources in a simulated workplace

actual sources at a registered operator's premises

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

review of carrier records completed by candidate for a variety of radioactive materials

feedback from peers and supervisor that the candidate is able to consistently handle and transport radioactive material in accordance with relevant organisation procedures, regulations and codes

oral questioning about:

radiation terms

principles of radiation protection and safety

requirements for the safe transport of radioactive materials encountered in job role

workplace emergency response procedures

observation of the candidate handling and transporting a consigned item

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.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, 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.

Required skills

applying transport documents relevant to job role

recognising radiation labels, placards and safety signs relevant to job role

completing carrier's documentation accurately with close attention to detail

seeking advice or further directions when faced with unexpected situations that may require decisions or actions beyond own technical competence

using communication equipment, such as radio and telephone

using and caring for radiation monitoring equipment, if required in job role

Required knowledge

guidelines for consignors, carriers and consignees defined in local regulations and relevant codes (e.g. RPS No.2 and RPS No.2.1)

meaning of words such as radioactivity, radioactive material, ionising radiation, contamination, contamination controls, shielding, transport index, and safe distance

types and properties of ionising radiation (e.g. alpha, beta, gamma)

relevant dose limits

information on radiation labels, placards, emergency information sheets and safety signs and in transport documents relevant to job role

internal and external exposure pathways and protective measures

radiation health effects

layers of protection, including:

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 personal protective equipment (PPE) where other means of controlling exposure are not practicable

health, safety and workplace emergency response procedures, safe working rules, personal hygiene requirements and safe operating procedures for equipment relevant to job role

procedures for safe, secure storage of items during extended stops or breaks in transit, during trans-shipment and if delivery cannot be completed

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Consigned items may include:

radioactive material in the form of:

isotopes or a mixture of isotopes in solid, liquid or gas form

manufactured articles, instruments and containers that emit ionising radiation

packaged items could be:

excepted packages

low specific activity material (LSA-I, -II, -III)

surface contaminated objects (SCO-I, -II)

material in type A, B(U), B(M) and C packages

material transported under special arrangement

items may be enclosed in packages, overpacks or freight containers

Label information requires:

all packages having legible and durable markings with:

name of consignor, consignee, or both

appropriate United Nations (UN) classification number

for non-exempt or non-excepted materials, packages also require:

proper shipping name for the material

Category I-White, Category II-Yellow or Category III-Yellow labels

transport index for Category II-Yellow or Category III-Yellow labels

Required transport documents may include:

consignor's declaration with:

details of the consignment

information for carriers, such as instructions for storage and segregation, air waybill or consignment note

stated compliance with the relevant transport code

specific documentation, such as:

shipment approval from the relevant competent authority (land, waterways, air, sea) in Australia or overseas country

package design approval certificate

special form source certificate

carrier's consignment note that describes the radionuclide and total activity

storage and packing instructions

notification to relevant competent authorities along the route under the transport code

source transport security plan if a security enhanced source is being transported

transport emergency (response) plan

Stowed securely and segregated items may include:

separation of packages containing radioactive material from the driver and passenger compartment (e.g. type II and III)

storage of small, light items in a box

blocking and bracing of heavy items

separation between groups of items to keep the transport index less than 50

separation of packages containing radioactive material from other dangerous goods as required by the Australian Dangerous Goods Code, 7th Edition (ADG7)

separation of radioactive material (DG Class 7) from rolling stock during transit

appropriate physical security measures, particularly for security enhanced sources

Relevant codes and regulations may include:

Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) radiation protection series publications, such as:

RPS No.2 Code of Practice for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (2008)

RPS No.2.1 Safety Guide for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (2008)

RPS No.11 Code of Practice for the Security of Radioactive Sources (2007)

regulations governing the handling and carriage of radioactive materials in Australian ports for interstate and international transportation:

Navigation (Cargo-Hazards Prevention) Regulations and the Navigations (Dangerous Goods) Regulations 1979

International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code

regulations governing the consigning and carriage of radioactive materials by air are specified in:

s.23 (Dangerous Goods) of the Civil Aviation Act (1988)

Part 92 (Consignment and Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Air) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) 1988

ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (DOC9284)

requirements of commonwealth, state and territory legislation, such as Victorian Radiation Act (2005) and Radiation Regulations (2007) and associated licensing requirements

ADG7

Safe and secure interim storage may include:

storage in a secure area with restricted access and well away from:

flammable or other dangerous material

foodstuffs

livestock

undeveloped film

restrictions on the number of items in one location to ensure that total transport index is less than 50

storage that enables safe dissipation of heat

storage separate from other classes of dangerous goods as required by ADG7

storage of a security enhanced source that meets RPS No.11 Code of Practice for the Security of Radioactive Sources (2007)

Emergency incidents may include:

vehicle breakdown, accident or fire

damage to items through shifting of load

theft of vehicle and/or load

exposure from uncontrolled, high hazard radioactive material that:

has loss or destruction of shielding

is involved in a transport accident

exposure from equipment that emits ionising radiation and has:

loss or destruction of shielding

malfunction of its shutter or interlocks

exposure from dispersed radioactive material caused by:

leakage or radioactive contamination

dispersion of contaminants following destruction of a high activity sealed source

Response procedures will include:

instructions for keeping exposures to a minimum, consistent with essential operations through evacuation or otherwise:

bringing the situation under control

providing access to necessary medical or counselling services

obtaining information for assessing the cause of accident or emergency

obtaining information for assessing any doses received as a consequence of accident

instructions for notifying the relevant competent authority if required

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
Ensure compliance with licence, permit and vehicle requirements that apply to carrier of consigned items. 
Confirm pick-up arrangements and specific requirements for loading, segregation, stowage, carriage, handling and unloading of the items. 
Check that vehicle and communication devices are in good working order. 
Ensure that required emergency response information is in vehicle cabin. 
Check that each item is intact. 
Quarantine any item not safe for transport or with inconsistent paperwork, and promptly advise relevant personnel. 
Check that size, weight, contents, packaging and label information for each item matches accompanying consignor's declaration. 
Check that carrier copies of required transport documents are present, accurate and complete. 
Obtain confirmation that non-fixed external contamination of items does not exceed specified limit. 
Obtain confirmation that maximum radiation level from any surface of items does not exceed specified limit. 
Apply organisation's radiation protection and safety procedures and manual safe-handling procedures when handling items. 
Ensure that each item is securely stowed and segregated in accordance with consignor's instructions, and relevant codes and regulations. 
Record receipt of items in accordance with organisation's procedures. 
Ensure that required dangerous goods signs/placards are attached to vehicle in correct positions. 
Deliver items using agreed routes and schedules and in accordance with organisation's procedures. 
Ensure security of items when vehicle is unattended. 
Arrange for safe, secure storage of items in accordance with the relevant code during extended stops or breaks in transit, during trans-shipment and if delivery cannot be completed. 
Check that each item is intact and matches consignor's declaration before handover to user or consignee. 
Quarantine any item that has visible damage or inconsistent paperwork and promptly advise relevant personnel. 
Advise user or consignee of any specified requirements for the safe and secure interim storage of items. 
Complete and file relevant transport documents. 
Recognise unusual situations, unexpected hazards, and potential or actual emergency incidents. 
Inform relevant personnel about the situation, hazard or incident and seek their advice. 
Initiate appropriate workplace emergency first response in accordance with instructions, radiation management plans and organisation's response procedures. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PSPRAD303 - Handle and transport radioactive material
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

PSPRAD303 - Handle and transport radioactive material

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: