This occupation is found in the nuclear sector on a range of sites including waste management, decommissioning, and operational nuclear facilities. Their working conditions are varied and may involve wearing specialist safety equipment, shift working and working on sites and facilities running 365-day operations. They are expected to work independently and as part of a team. They need to be able to work with minimum supervision, in a professional manner, taking responsibility for the quality and accuracy of the work they undertake. People working on nuclear sites are required to undergo security clearance vetting.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to provide radiological monitoring services within the nuclear industry to protect people, plant, and the environment. It is to provide protection from the adverse effects of ionising radiation and contamination. They may work indoors or outdoors, work at height or in confined spaces. They may be required to work shifts and in hazardous areas.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with other engineers, technicians and visiting staff present on a nuclear site. They work independently or as part of the larger team. They typically work under both supervised and unsupervised direction of an engineer, technician or health physics supervisor.
An employee in this occupation will comply with regulatory and organisational requirements. They must work within the specified health, safety, and environmental regulations. They must use the appropriate protective clothing, equipment and resources. They are responsible for the correct use and control of equipment. They must follow organisationally defined and approved procedures when carrying out monitoring of nuclear related systems and people. All work must be completed safely and efficiently as directed by supervisory staff.
Health physics surveyor
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Duty 1 Apply radiological and contamination control measures prior to, during and after commencing work. |
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Duty 2 Monitor surface and airborne contamination and radiation dose rates using radiological instruments. |
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Duty 3 Complete ionising radiation and contamination surveys in compliance with organisational requirements. |
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Duty 4 Undertake monitoring of personnel activities during radiologically implicated tasks and at barriers, entry and exit areas. |
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Duty 5 Carry out radiological barrier integrity checks. |
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Duty 6 Perform checks and testing of monitors and detectors against radioactive sealed sources. |
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Duty 7 Monitor waste, used personal protective equipment (PPE) and equipment leaving the site. Ensure compliance to conditions for acceptance at receiving sites. |
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Duty 8 Document radiation and contamination monitoring survey results. Use written reports and digital systems as required. |
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Duty 9 Support decontamination of personnel in the event of becoming contaminated. For example, emergency showers. |
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Duty 10 Ensure radioactive sources and materials are accounted for in line with local arrangements and location. |
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Duty 11 Monitor radiation and contamination levels during radiation incidents and events. |
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Duty 12 Support facility and site contingency plans including emergency arrangements for protection of personnel, plant and the environment. |
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Duty 13 Produce radiological protection monitoring information. |
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Duty 14 Provide information of radiological hazards and risks in routine and incident situations. For example, appropriate guidance to personnel involved in incidents or events. |
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Duty 15 Direct colleagues on appropriate actions relating to radiation protection. |
K1: Awareness of nuclear safety: prevention of accidents, protection of people and the environment from radiation exposure and hazards.
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K2: Awareness of radiological safety: protection of people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation and contamination.
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K3: Safety expectations of those working on nuclear licensed sites: Confined spaces, Health and safety at work act. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH). Manual handling. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Respiratory Protection Equipment (RPE). Situational awareness. Slips, trips and falls. Safety equipment: guards, signage, fire extinguishers. Safe systems of working. Working at height.
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K4: Security clearances and levels of personnel on nuclear licensed sites: basic clearance (BC), security clearance (SC) and developed vetting (DV) enhanced clearance.
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K5: Awareness of safety management systems: risk assessments. Principles of As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP). Best Available Technique (BAT).
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K6: Standard operating procedures (SOPs): what they are and why they are important.
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K7: Environment and sustainability regulations and guidance. Types of pollution and control measures in the nuclear sector, including spills and waste. Waste reduction and waste streams. Recycling and reuse. Sustainable use of equipment and materials.
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K8: Awareness of how human performance and human factors affect nuclear safety culture.
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K9: Awareness of radiation types: non-ionising and ionising radiation, alpha, beta, gamma, x-ray and neutron. Atomic structure, criticality, fusion and fission.
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K10: Types of radiation sources and materials.
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K11: Control measures for radiation sources, materials and hazards.
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K12: Identification and purpose of radiological monitoring instruments including personal monitoring equipment (electronic and non-electronic): measurement and referencing levels of ionising radiation detection and exposure.
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K13: Testing of radiological monitoring instruments using calibrated and sealed radiation sources.
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K14: Numerical calculation techniques for radiological data and SI units.
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K15: Emergency response radiological incident contingency plans: emergency environmental radiological releases, critical incident monitoring, forward control points (FCP) and access control points (ACP), supervised and designated areas.
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K16: Regulatory and legislative guidance: Nuclear Installations Act (NIA), Ionising Radiation Regulations (IRR), Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations (REPPIR), International Commission of Radiological Protection (ICRP), Approved Code of Practice (ACOP).
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K17: Principles of team working.
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K18: Documentation and reporting requirements.
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K19: Verbal communication techniques. Giving and receiving information. Matching style to audience. Nuclear industry terminology.
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K20: Written communication techniques.
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K21: Information technology and digital systems: email, management information systems, word processing, work sharing platforms. General data protection regulation (GDPR). Cyber security.
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K22: Principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and the impact on their work.
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S1: Comply with health and safety regulations and procedures. Challenge unsafe practices.
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S2: Follow work instructions. For example, risk assessments.
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S3: Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs).
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S4: Respond to changes in radiological conditions using safety management systems. For example,
As Low As Reasonably Practicable principles (ALARP).
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S5: Comply with environmental and sustainability regulations and procedures. For example, identify and segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
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S6: Apply human performance and human factors nuclear culture.
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S7: Identification of radiation sources and materials.
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S8: Apply control measures taken with radiation sources and materials.
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S9: Select and use radiological protection monitoring instruments: for example, smear paper, hand-held radiation and contamination rate meters, installed and portable air samplers.
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S10: Carry out functional tests of radiation protection monitoring instrumentation using calibrated radioactive sealed sources.
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S11: Perform numerical calculations for radiological measurements with SI units.
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S12: Comply with emergency response plans: carry out critical incident monitoring, use forward control points (FCP) and access control points (ACP) to respond and recover from nuclear incidents.
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S13: Comply with legislative regulations and guidance: Ionising Radiation Regulations (IRR), Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations (REPPIR).
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S14: Record radiation protection monitoring and survey results using required documentation.
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S15: Apply team working principles.
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S16: Communicate verbally with colleagues and managers using industry terminology.
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S17: Communicate in writing with colleagues and managers.
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S18: Use information technology and digital systems. Comply with GDPR and cyber security.
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S19: Carry out and record learning and development activities.
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S20: Follow equity, diversity and inclusion rules.
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B1: Put health and safety first.
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B2: Take ownership of own work and responsibilities.
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B3: Take responsibility for the quality of work.
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B4: Respond and adapt to changing work requests.
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B5: Demonstrate team focus to meet work goals.
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B6: Consider human performance and human factors principles in the workplace.
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B7: Seek learning and development opportunities, continual professional development (CPD).
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B8: Support an inclusive workplace, being respectful of different views.
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English and maths qualifications form a mandatory part of all apprenticeships and must be completed before an apprentice can pass through gateway. The requirements are detailed in the current version of the apprenticeship funding rules.
This standard aligns with the following professional recognition:
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | Occupational standard, end point assessment plan and funding band revised. | 26/06/2024 | Not set |
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 03/09/2015 | 25/06/2024 |
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