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.
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.

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:
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 PSPRAD703A 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.