Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit covers the competency required to measure and analyse radio frequency radiation  and to develop relevant safety plans and procedures.

The unit includes developing and drafting policy, procedures and plans/instructions for the management, amelioration and/or control of radio frequency radiation in the workplace.

Application of the Unit 

The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.

Prerequisite Unit /s 

Nil

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency.

Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the Required Skills and Knowledge and/or the Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare to develop radio frequency radiation safety plans 

1.1 Radio frequency radiation sources are identified and confirmed in accordance with organisational policy and procedures 

1.2 Standards and legislation  appropriate to radio frequency radiation exposure levels  are identified and accessed

1.3 Existing organisational records  relevant to radio frequency radiation are identified and accessed

1.4 Equipment and resources  required for the measurement of radio frequency radiation are identified, acquired and prepared in accordance with organisational procedures

2. Measure radio frequency radiation 

2.1 Measuring equipment is deployed in accordance with manufacturers' instructions and organisational procedures

2.2 Readings are recorded in accordance with organisational policy and procedures

2.3 Occupational health and safety  (OH &S ) requirements  including those contained in organisational procedures, are applied throughout the operation

3. Analyse radio frequency radiation 

3.1 Measurements are interpreted and confirmed in accordance with measuring protocols

3.2 Radio frequency radiation is analysed/determined and findings are reported to appropriate authorities/superiors in accordance with legislation and organisational policy and procedures

4. Develop radio frequency radiation safety plans 

4.1 Appropriate consultation with stakeholders is conducted in accordance with organisational policy and procedures

4.2 Technical standards, organisational environmental requirements and radio frequency radiation exposure levels are identified and interpreted

4.3 Radio frequency radiation safety plans are developed in accordance with legislative requirements and organisational policy and procedures

4.4 Radio frequency radiation safety plans are forwarded to the relevant authority in accordance with organisational policy and procedures

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills 

• analyse
• communicate
• operate radio frequency radiation measuring equipment
• plan
• negotiate

Required Knowledge 

• environmental factors relevant to workplace radio frequency radiation
• OH&S requirements for the organisation/industry and for supervisors/managers in the workplace
• radio frequency radiation control requirements
• radio frequency radiation exposure level standards/requirements
• radio frequency radiation measuring techniques and equipment
• reliability of measures
• relevant Australian and international standards
• relevant legislation
• relevant organisational policy and standards
• tolerances of error that may apply

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to observe and respond to changing circumstances and unusual situations in the workplace; to conduct a quality assurance check against previous recommendations; and to identify changes in workplace configurations.

Consistency in performance 

Competency should be demonstrated over a range of environments and workplace radio frequency sources. This may be in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment.

Specific resources for assessment 

Access to relevant research material, manufacturers' equipment specifications and existing related standards, policy and instructions.

Guidance information for assessment 

Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

RANGE STATEMENT 

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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Radio frequency radiation may include 

Micro-waves

Radar transmissions

Radio transmissions

Organisational policy and procedures may include 

Relevant Australian Standards and international standards (such as AS/NZS 1269.2:1998 Occupational Radio Frequency Management, Part 2: Radio Frequency control management)

State/territory/commonwealth legislation

Exposure levels may include 

Occupationally exposed worker - low level, medium level, high level

Worker who is not occupationally exposed

Organisational records may include 

Electronic records

Inventories

Journals

Registers

Equipment and resources may include 

Gauges

Radio frequency radiation measuring instruments

Recording devices

Preparing equipment and resources may include 

Calibration of testing equipment

Testing equipment for safe operation (confidence testing)

Testing equipment for serviceability

Occupational health and safety requirements may include 

Award provisions

State/territory/commonwealth and local government legislation and by-laws

Stakeholders may include 

External agencies

Government/agency regulators/inspectors

Immediate supervisors

Internal agencies

OH&S representatives

Other interested parties, including members of the public

Relevant personnel in the chain of command

Unit managers

Radio frequency radiation safety plans may include 

Monitoring processes

Protocol and local controls

Recommendations for additional control measures

referral to other expertise

Co-requisite Unit /s 

Nil