Unit of competency

Modification History

Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to MEM13013B Work safely with ionizing radiation

Application

This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to work safely with ionizing radiation when performing radiographic testing in a range of open or closed industrial applications on fabrications, structures and components across a wide range of industries.

The work can relate to scheduled and unscheduled maintenance activities, using general tools, specific radiographic testing equipment as specified in maintenance documentation, testing procedures or operator instructions.

All testing must be completed with particular attention to personal and work health and safety (WHS) regulations. Certification against Australian Standards can be achieved where assessment in this unit of competency is carried out in conjunction with an examining authority as described in ISO 9712 Non-destructive testing – Qualification and certification of non-destructive testing (NDT) personnel.

Materials and chemicals which are subject to codes and regulations – for example, chemicals, explosives, solvents, dangerous materials, acids, or noxious waste products – must be subject to safe work habits and must be stored and used in accordance with safe work practices.

This unit is a prerequisite to undertaking any other radiographic units of competency.

Where interpretation of technical drawings is required unit MEM09002 Interpret technical drawing should also be selected.

Where the selection and use of engineering measurement is required unit MEM12023 Perform engineering measurements should also be selected.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Band : A 

Unit Weight : 4 

Pre-requisite Unit

Competency Field

Work health and safety

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

This section describes those required skills (reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy) that are essential to workplace performance in this unit of competency.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range of Conditions

Unit Mapping Information

Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to MEM13013B Work safely with ionizing radiation

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=b7050d37-5fd0-4740-8f7d-3b7a49c10bb2

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to MEM13013B Work safely with ionizing radiation

Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least two (2) occasions and include:

• following work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safe work practices
• identifying and interpreting charts, specifications, relevant organisational policy and procedures and other applicable reference documents in working safely with ionizing radiation
• employing appropriate ionizing radiation protective measures and personal protective equipment (PPE) relevant to the industrial application
• determining minimum exposure rates/distances from calculations and charts
• undertaking numerical operations and calculations associated with determining minimum exposure rates/distances
• selecting and using appropriate tools and equipment necessary to monitor radiation
• documenting all safety breaches and recording/reporting in accordance with SOPs
• demonstrating the ability to assess risks and handle emergencies.

Knowledge Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate the required knowledge for this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

• safe work practices and procedures and use of PPE
• International System of Units (SI) of radiation in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)/statutory requirements
• production of X-rays and gamma rays in relation to radiographic testing activities
• principal radioactive sources used in industrial radiography
• attenuation factors
• known biological effects of radiation
• general principles of gas ionisation, photographic effect and luminescence
• use of film, film badges, ionisation chamber devices, quartz fibre, fluorescent, and electronic devices accuracy limits (energy/range)
• different SI units of radiation, including Becquerel, Sievert and Gray
• exposure limits for personnel as laid down by the radiation authorities in Australia
• exposure reduction factors, including:

• time
• distance
• shielding

• procedures for establishing safe working barriers
• relevant techniques and checks
• emergency procedures
• safety procedures for:

• types of X-ray equipment
• types of isotope cameras
• shielding materials
• design and requirements for exposure areas
• requirements for storage of radioisotopes

• emergency situations, causes and appropriate responses
• storage requirements of equipment and materials
• legal requirements including:

• Australian, state/territory regulations, code of practice (detail)
• International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommended limits for various persons and various parts of the body for short-term, long-term and accumulated exposure
• background radiation
• duties of Radiation Safety Officer (RSO)
• requirements for transport
• International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations
• obligations of the licensee.

Assessment Conditions

• Assessors must:

• have vocational competency in working safely with ionizing radiation at least to the level being assessed with relevant industry knowledge and experience
• satisfy the assessor requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015 or its replacementand comply with the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011, its replacementor equivalent legislation covering VET regulation in a non-referring state/territory as the case requires

• Where possible assessment must occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment that reflects realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills
• Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications
• Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=b7050d37-5fd0-4740-8f7d-3b7a49c10bb2