This unit of competency applies to personnel with a radiation safety coordination role. They may work as, or assist, a radiation safety officer working:

at a mine or plant that processes radioactive ore and minerals

with instruments that emit ionising radiation at geotechnical, construction, mining and manufacturing sites, or analytical and research facilities

in a laboratory or licensed facility that handles radioactive materials or has radiation-emitting apparatus

in a nuclear facility.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Procure suitable instruments.

1.1. Determine types of ionising radiation measuring instruments required by the organisation to monitor hazards associated with current or future radiation-related work activities and refer to radiation protection safety standards, codes and guidelines, if necessary.

1.2. Research information about specifications and features of instruments that may be suitable and their suppliers.

1.3. Liaise with suppliers and/or conduct tests to compare the stated performance of available instruments against the organisation's specifications.

1.4. Seek advice and assistance with evaluating instruments if beyond own technical competence.

1.5. Select the most suitable instruments and arrange for their procurement.

2. Commission new instruments.

2.1. Use manufacturer's documentation to develop a thorough understanding of instrument operation, functional test procedures, routine instrument checks and maintenance requirements.

2.2. Ensure that the instrument has been calibrated appropriately for its intended use(s).

2.3. Conduct component checks and test measurements to confirm instrument performance for intended use(s).

2.4. Enter required information about the new instrument into the organisation's information management system.

2.5. Develop and document clear procedures for operating, caring for and maintaining the instrument.

3. Train instrument operators.

3.1. Identify the skills and knowledge required to operate the instrument safely and reliably in the workplace and interpret the radiation quantities measured.

3.2. Develop appropriate training program for instrument operators using established adult learning principles.

3.3. Ensure that each operator can use the instrument competently for the required measurement applications.

3.4. Record training outcomes in accordance with regulator requirements and organisational procedures.

3.5. Audit operators' use of instruments at regular intervals to ensure their ongoing competence.

4. Maintain instruments fit for purpose.

4.1. Conduct regular instrument checks and minor maintenance in accordance with organisation's radiation management plan.

4.2. Check instrument calibration using specified standards and procedures, and record relevant information.

4.3. Troubleshoot basic faults and determine whether local repair or maintenance is technically possible and economic.

4.4. Arrange for repair or servicing from an accredited agent or other appropriate personnel in accordance with organisation's procedures.

4.5. Check instrument's performance after repair or service before approving it for use.

4.6. Maintain required records that are complete, accurate, legible and secure.

Required skills

recognising:

types of measuring instruments, such as air proportional, gas proportional, gas ionisation, Geiger-Muller (GM), compensated GM, scintillation, neutron monitors, solid state, and personal dosimeters (badge and electronic)

advantages and limitations of their use

locating, interpreting and comparing information about measuring instruments used by organisation

selecting suitable instruments by analysing factors, such as intended use (fixed/portable, laboratory/field), range of radiation types, intensities and energies, accuracy, sensitivity, response time, robustness, serviceability and limitations

conducting pre-use and calibration checks, troubleshooting common faults, conducting basic repairs of and maintaining radiation measuring instruments used in job role

safely operating radiation measuring instruments used in job role to obtain reliable data

processing and analysing radiation measurement data and applying established corrections

interpreting manuals and writing operating instructions for radiation measuring instruments used in organisation

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

Required knowledge

terms and concepts, such as:

ionising radiation, radioactivity, radioactive material, activity, dose, contamination, contamination controls, shielding, half-life, and radionuclide

operating voltage, accuracy, response time, sensitivity, detection limit, linearity, source-detector geometry and distance corrections, compensation

types, energies and properties of ionising radiation (e.g. alpha, beta, gamma, neutron, x-ray, electron), sources and shielding methods

definitions of radiation quantities, such as exposure, dose, tissue weighting factor, effective dose, dose rate, radiation weighting factor, dose equivalent, and dose limits

international system (SI) of units for radiation quantities, multiples and sub-multiples

techniques for conducting measurements and monitoring surveys used in organisation

characteristics, capabilities, limitations, function of key components and operating principles of radiation measuring instruments used in organisation

role and importance of regular calibration and pre-use checks and maintenance

common instrument faults, troubleshooting, and recommended remedial actions and repairs

common instrument operator errors

techniques for assessing radiation hazards likely to be encountered 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

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

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

select radiation measuring instruments that will enable the organisation to successfully implement its radiation management plan

maintain sufficient numbers of fully functioning instruments to satisfy the organisation's predictable requirements

train instrument operators to use radiation measuring instruments safely and reliably

keep accurate and complete records relevant to job role.

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated by the candidate selecting, commissioning and maintaining the radiation measuring instruments relevant to his or her job role.

Pathway

Determining competency for this unit may require checking the candidate's skills against PSPRAD003A Perform basic radiation measurements.

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 and/or ionising radiation equipment are present

organisation's radiation management plan

manufacturer's instructions for operating radiation measuring instruments.

Access may be required to:

registered premises and sources

supervision by a radiation safety professional

radiation measuring instruments and monitoring equipment

appropriate personal protective equipment

radiation management plan or procedures.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

oral and written tests and calculations involving:

radiation quantities

set-up, calibration and basic maintenance of radiation measuring instruments

review of records of instrument selection, use and maintenance generated by the candidate

review of instrument training materials and records generated by the candidate

feedback from peers and supervisor that working instruments are available when required

observation of the candidate checking, using and maintaining radiation measuring instruments.

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

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.

Ionising radiation may include:

x-rays, electrons, neutrons, gamma rays, beta particles and alpha particles emitted from radioactive materials, including sealed and unsealed sources

neutrons emitted from generator tubes

x-rays generated by industrial radiography equipment, XRF and XRD instruments.

Radiation measuring instruments may involve:

detectors, such as:

air proportional (alpha)

gas proportional (alpha, beta)

gas ionisation (gamma)

Geiger-Muller (beta, gamma)

ionisation (beta)

scintillation (alpha, beta, gamma)

solid state (alpha, gamma)

signal conditioning, such as:

analogue and digital ratemeters

pulse height, scalers, single/multi channel analysers, and integrators

displays, such as:

dose and dose rate

dose equivalent and dose equivalent rate

exposure and exposure rate.

Programs to monitor hazards may include: surveys and measurements for:

establishing background levels

identifying and quantifying radiation near equipment that emits ionising radiation

identifying areas of elevated activity and possible contamination

identifying and quantifying radiation contamination at specified locations

locating discrete radiation sources

assessing integrity of packaging or shielding

determining the effectiveness of decontamination

locating contamination on personnel and equipment

verifying contamination control boundaries.

Radiation-related work activities may include:

extracting, milling, processing and packing radioactive ores

operating, installing, servicing and calibrating fixed radiation gauges, bore hole logging or industrial radiography equipment, moisture/density gauges

decontaminating and servicing equipment that has been in contact with radioactive material

XRF and XRD analysis

collecting, preparing and testing samples containing radioactive materials

using radionuclides in a laboratory.

Radiation protection safety standards, codes and guidelines may include:

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

RPS No.1 Recommendations for Limiting Exposure to Ionizing Radiation (1995) and National Standard for Limiting Occupational Exposure to Ionizing Radiation (republished 2002)

RPS No.7 Recommendations for Intervention in Emergency Situations Involving Radiation Exposure (2004)

RPS No.6 National Directory for Radiation Protection (2004)

RPS No.9 Code of Practice and Safety Guide for Radiation Protection and Radioactive Waste Management in Mining and Mineral Processing (2005)

RPS No.15 Safety Guide for the Management of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) (2008)

requirements of commonwealth, state and territory radiation protection and safety legislation

definition of a responsible person

Australian standards.

Specifications and features of instruments may include:

types of measurements to be performed, such as direct, scanning and sampling

radionuclides and radiation energies (KeV, MeV) of interest

detector type, window thickness and density, and probe area

detector sensitivity and detection limits

response time

estimated uncertainty for each range

single or multi-channel analyser

interfacing with data loggers and computers

power and battery requirements

size and weight

use under environmental conditions, including:

thermal and mechanical stress

magnetic and electrostatic fields.

Adult learning principles may include:

explaining aims and objectives of training program

linking learning with everyday work tasks

using a logical sequence of learning activities

presenting new information in manageable chunks

providing opportunities to practise new skills and solve common problems

reinforcing important points

using a range of questions to check understanding

providing regular and constructive feedback.

Regular instrument checks and minor maintenance may include:

cleaning

checking and replacing batteries

checking zero, span and range

using one or more sources of specific radiation type and energy to check calibration and response in each range

assessing need for corrections for differences:

in source-detector geometry and/or distance

between calibration and intended field/laboratory use

adjusting calibration if authorised to do so

repairing pinholes in fragile windows

simple fault finding using instrument manual, error codes and recommended remedial actions.

Radiation management plan should include details of:

work practices, such as safe working rules and emergency response procedures

roles and responsibilities of personnel

radiation monitoring requirements

control of an incident involving a source

storage of a source

accountability and records

other requirements that may have a bearing on safety.

Required records may include details of:

purchase records, warranties, and service agreements for instruments

instrument calibration status

instrument inspection, faults, servicing and repairs

instrument use, including operator, time and date, and location

instrument maintenance schedule and records.

Unit sector

Radiation Safety

This unit contains employability skills.