Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Radiation protection and safety legislation, standards, codes and guidelines may include:
Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 and amendments 2005
commonwealth, state and territory radiation control legislation
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.
Hazards due to radioactive materials, equipment and work activities may include:
inhalation of radioactive dust or gas
ingestion of radioactive dust or contaminated food or water
unplanned exposure to sealed or unsealed radiation sources or partially enclosed equipment that emits ionising radiation
handling radioactive materials in a laboratory.
Radiation-related work activities may include:
extraction, milling and packing of radioactive ores and minerals
operating, servicing and calibrating fixed radiation gauges, bore hole logging, industrial radiography equipment
operating, servicing and calibrating moisture density gauges
decontaminating equipment that has been in contact with radioactive material
XRF and XRD analysis
using radionuclides in a laboratory
managing wastes
using radiation for quality control in processing systems and factories.
Radiation instruments and monitoring equipment may include:
air proportional
gas proportional
gas ionisation
Geiger-Muller
ionisation
scintillation
solid state
wipe test equipment
sample containers, shovels, augers, buckets, air/water pumps, and stainless steel bailers.
Ionising radiation may include:
x-rays, electrons, neutrons, gamma rays, beta particles and alpha particles emitted from radioactive materials, including sealed and unsealed sources
x-rays generated by industrial radiography equipment, XRF and XRD instruments.
Control measures may include:
hierarchy of controls, including:
avoiding exposure, where practicable
isolating sources of radiation where practicable through shielding, containment and remote handling techniques
engineering controls to reduce radiation levels and intakes of radioactive materials in the workplace
adopting safe work practices, including work methods that make use of time, distance and shielding to minimise exposure
using approved PPE where other means of controlling exposure are not practicable or sufficient
designation of controlled areas and supervised areas
use of appropriate signs and labels
use of investigation levels of exposure for specific categories of work.
Monitoring programs include:
identification of relevant sources of radiation exposure within a workplace
assessment of the radiation doses received by employees, including determination of parameters that affect the assessed dose, as required by the appropriate authority
assessment of radioactive discharge to, or contamination of, the environment
detection of changes in the circumstances of exposure, as necessary
acquisition of sufficient information on radiation exposure in the workplace to enable optimisation measures to be adopted.
Radiation management plans may include:
plan to keep exposure to radiation in the workplace as low as reasonably achievable and to keep doses received below the relevant dose limits, including:
designation of work areas to be controlled, signage and location of protective devices
arrangements for authorising workers to conduct radiation-related activities
procedures for conducting radiation-related tasks and the safe use of radiation equipment
procedures for the security, storage and transport of radioactive materials and waste disposal
procedures for the issue/collection, use and care of personal radiation monitors and PPE
plan for monitoring radiation exposure and for assessing the doses received by exposed employees, including:
dosimetry specifications
deployment of survey monitors
methods for conducting required radiation surveys, wipe tests, examinations and for reporting and recording results
arrangements for personal and environmental monitoring
plan for dealing with incidents, accidents and emergencies involving exposure to radiation
plan for the induction and ongoing training of workers, visitors and members of the public as appropriate
plan for the selection, procurement, maintenance, repair and disposal of equipment containing radioactive sources
audit plan covering such things as:
status of specified equipment
use of designated safe work practices
application of specified monitoring procedures
accuracy and completeness of specified records.
Learning and development strategies may include:
face to face training
online or distance learning
mentoring and coaching.
Response procedures will include instructions for:
keeping exposures to a minimum, consistent with essential operations through evacuation or otherwise
notifying 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:
establish and maintain a local radiation management plan that meets regulator requirements
monitor radiation-related work activities and take appropriate action to keep workplace exposure as low as reasonably achievable, to keep doses received below the relevant dose limits, and to protect the environment
identify and rectify radiation safety, quality and non-compliance issues
advise management about radiation safety issues
explain radiation protection and safety measures clearly and train personnel
manage radiation protection and safety information in accordance with regulator requirements
coordinate workplace emergency first response.
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated by performing radiation safety related components of the day-to-day functions and duties of a radiation awareness officer at a site.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency should be assessed in the workplace or 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.
Access is required to:
registered premises and sources
supervision by a radiation safety professional
organisation's radiation management plan and related policies and procedures.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
review of radiation results, records, management plans and reports generated by the candidate
review of radiation safety information developed by the candidate and provided to the work group
feedback from peers, manager, and regulator representative that the candidate is able to coordinate management of radiation safety
oral/written tests and calculations involving:
radiation terms, principles and quantities
set-up, calibration and basic maintenance of radiation instruments
selection and use of PPE
analysis of case studies and reports of relevant emergency incidents and exercises
observation of the candidate promoting radiation safety and providing radiation safety information and instruction to other personnel.
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
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
PSPRAD706A Work safely with radiation-sealed source equipment
PSPRAD707A Monitor radiation.