Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 3:45 AM AWST
23/07/2026 3:45 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Handle and transport radioactive material
Handle and transport radioactive material
Unit of competency
National Code
PSPRAD303
PSPRAD303
State Code
WE674
WE674
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
04/07/2014
Field of Education
061301 - Occupational Health And Safety
Original Release Date
04/07/2014
Nominal Hours
45
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.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for pick-up of items
- 1.1. Ensure compliance with licence, permit and vehicle requirements that apply to carrier of consigned items.
- 1.2. Confirm pick-up arrangements and specific requirements for loading, segregation, stowage, carriage, handling and unloading of the items.
- 1.3. Check that vehicle and communication devices are in good working order.
- 1.4. Ensure that required emergency response information is in vehicle cabin.
2. Check items prior to transport
- 2.1. Check that each item is intact.
- 2.2. Quarantine any item not safe for transport or with inconsistent paperwork, and promptly advise relevant personnel.
- 2.3. Check that size, weight, contents, packaging and label information for each item matches accompanying consignor's declaration.
- 2.4. Check that carrier copies of required transport documents are present, accurate and complete.
- 2.5. Obtain confirmation that non-fixed external contamination of items does not exceed specified limit.
- 2.6. Obtain confirmation that maximum radiation level from any surface of items does not exceed specified limit.
3. Safely stow and transport items
- 3.1. Apply organisation's radiation protection and safety procedures and manual safe-handling procedures when handling items.
- 3.2. Ensure that each item is securely stowed and segregated in accordance with consignor's instructions, and relevant codes and regulations.
- 3.3. Record receipt of items in accordance with organisation's procedures.
- 3.4. Ensure that required dangerous goods signs/placards are attached to vehicle in correct positions.
- 3.5. Deliver items using agreed routes and schedules and in accordance with organisation's procedures.
- 3.6. Ensure security of items when vehicle is unattended.
- 3.7. 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.
4. Complete delivery of items
- 4.1. Check that each item is intact and matches consignor's declaration before handover to user or consignee.
- 4.2. Quarantine any item that has visible damage or inconsistent paperwork and promptly advise relevant personnel.
- 4.3. Advise user or consignee of any specified requirements for the safe and secure interim storage of items.
- 4.4. Complete and file relevant transport documents.
5. Respond to potential or actual emergency incidents
- 5.1. Recognise unusual situations, unexpected hazards, and potential or actual emergency incidents.
- 5.2. Inform relevant personnel about the situation, hazard or incident and seek their advice.
- 5.3. Initiate appropriate workplace emergency first response in accordance with instructions, radiation management plans and organisation's response procedures.
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
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
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.
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.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWU03 | PSPRAD005 | Handle and transport radioactive material | Unit of competency |
