DEFOH006B
Develop radio frequency radiation safety plans

This unit covers the competency required to measure and analyse radio frequency radiation, including microwaves, and radar and radio transmissions, and to develop relevant safety plans and procedures. The unit includes developing and drafting policy, procedures and plans/instructions for the management, amelioration and/or control of radio frequency radiation in the workplace. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication. In a Defence context, this means that there is no civilian need to hold this unit in order to meet licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements.

Application

This unit was developed for Defence workers involved in developing radio frequency safety plans as a workplace responsibility, but is applicable to all individuals who work in this field.

Typically, these individuals must demonstrate the ability to work independently or as part of a team under indirect supervision. They must be able to use discretion and judgement and take responsibility for the quality of their outputs.

All activities are carried out in accordance with relevant legislation, organisational policies and procedures, including relevant:

Australian or international standards (particularly AS/NZS 1269.2:1998 Occupational Radio Frequency Management, Part 2: Radio Frequency control management)

manufacturer’s instructions

state/territory/commonwealth legislation.

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare to develop radio frequency radiation safety plans

1.1 Radio frequency radiation sources are identified and confirmed.

1.2 Standards and legislationappropriate to radio frequency radiation exposure levels are identified and accessed

1.3 Existing organisational records relevant to radio frequency radiation are identified and accessed

1.4 Equipment and resources required for the measurement of radio frequency radiation are identified, acquired and prepared.

2. Measure radio frequency radiation

2.1 Measuring equipment is deployed and readings are recorded.

2.2 Work health and safety (WHS) requirements including those contained in organisational procedures, are applied throughout the operation

3. Analyse radio frequency radiation

3.1 Measurements are interpreted and confirmed in accordance with measuring protocols

3.2 Radio frequency radiation is analysed/determined and findings are reported to appropriate authorities/superiors

4. Develop radio frequency radiation safety plans

4.1 Appropriate consultation with stakeholders is conducted.

4.2 Technical standards, organisational environmental requirements and radio frequency radiation exposure levels are identified and interpreted

4.3 Radio frequency radiation safety plans are developed and forwarded to the relevant authority.

Required Skills

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

analyse

communicate

operate radio frequency radiation measuring equipment

plan

negotiate

Required Knowledge

environmental factors relevant to workplace radio frequency radiation

WHS requirements for the organisation/industry and for supervisors/managers in the workplace

radio frequency radiation control requirements

radio frequency radiation exposure level standards/requirements

radio frequency radiation measuring techniques and equipment

reliability of measures

relevant Australian and international standards

relevant legislation

relevant organisational policy and standards

tolerances of error that may apply

Evidence Required

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

measure and analyse radio frequency radiation

develop radio frequency radiation safety plans that adhere to Australian and organisational standards and recognise stakeholders requirements

apply knowledge of relevant work health and safety and radio frequency radiation legislative frameworks

identify inspection tools and methods appropriate to the workplace

apply principles and practices of work health and safety and radio frequency radiation safety

identify intervention points for advice to assist in work and to guide problem solving

Consistency in performance

Evidence for competency in this unit must be gathered over time and across a range of workplace or simulated situations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or under conditions that accurately simulate a realistic workplace in accordance with all relevant legislation and organisation requirements.

Evidence should be gathered while observing the individual developing radio frequency radiation safety plans in an actual or simulated workplace. Documents evidence of all relevant research, interviews and findings should also be submitted as evidence for assessment.

Specific resources for assessment

Access to relevant research material, manufacturers’ equipment specifications and existing related standards, policy and instructions.

Range Statement

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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Organisational records may include:

Electronic records

Inventories

Journals

Registers

Equipment and resources may include:

Gauges

Radio frequency radiation measuring instruments

Recording devices

Equipment and resources are prepared may include:

Calibration of testing equipment

Testing equipment for safe operation (confidence testing)

Testing equipment for serviceability

Work health and safety requirements may include:

Award provisions

State/territory/commonwealth and local government legislation and bylaws

Stakeholders may include:

External agencies

Government/agency regulators/inspectors

Immediate supervisors

Internal agencies

WHS representatives

Other interested parties, including members of the public

Relevant personnel in the chain of command

Unit managers

Radio frequency radiation safety plans may include:

Monitoring processes

protocol and local controls

recommendations for additional control measures

referral to other expertise

Sectors

Not applicable.

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.

Licensing Information

Not applicable.