nuclear-reactor-operator/references/tasks.md

Tasks & work activities — nuclear reactor operator

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 19-4051.00 (Nuclear Technicians).

Task statements

• [Core] Follow nuclear equipment operational policies and procedures that ensure environmental safety.
• [Core] Conduct surveillance testing to determine safety of nuclear equipment.
• [Core] Monitor nuclear reactor equipment performance to identify operational inefficiencies, hazards, or needs for maintenance or repair.
• [Core] Test plant equipment to ensure it is operating properly.
• [Core] Apply safety tags to equipment needing maintenance.
• [Core] Follow policies and procedures for radiation workers to ensure personnel safety.
• [Core] Modify, devise, or maintain nuclear equipment used in operations.
• [Supplemental] Monitor instruments, gauges, or recording devices under direction of nuclear experimenters.
• [Supplemental] Perform testing, maintenance, repair, or upgrading of accelerator systems.
• [Supplemental] Warn maintenance workers of radiation hazards and direct workers to vacate hazardous areas.
• [Supplemental] Calculate equipment operating factors, such as radiation times, dosages, temperatures, gamma intensities, or pressures, using standard formulas and conversion tables.
• [Supplemental] Measure the intensity and identify the types of radiation in work areas, equipment, or materials, using radiation detectors or other instruments.
• [Supplemental] Communicate with accelerator maintenance personnel to ensure readiness of support systems, such as vacuum, water cooling, or radio frequency power sources.
• [Supplemental] Identify and implement appropriate decontamination procedures, based on equipment and the size, nature, and type of contamination.
• [Supplemental] Decontaminate objects by cleaning them using soap or solvents or by abrading using brushes, buffing machines, or sandblasting machines.
• [Supplemental] Collect air, water, gas or solid samples for testing to determine radioactivity levels or to ensure appropriate radioactive containment.
• [nan] Determine or recommend radioactive decontamination procedures, according to the size and nature of equipment and the degree of contamination.
• [nan] Set up equipment that automatically detects area radiation deviations and test detection equipment to ensure its accuracy.

Detailed work activities

• Advise others on management of emergencies or hazardous situations or materials.
• Clean objects.
• Collect environmental data or samples.
• Communicate safety or hazard information to others.
• Communicate with other workers to coordinate activities.
• Identify sustainable business practices.
• Inspect equipment to ensure proper functioning.
• Inspect work sites to identify potential environmental or safety hazards.
• Maintain laboratory or technical equipment.
• Maintain work equipment or machinery.
• Measure radiation levels.
• Monitor operational procedures in technical environments to ensure conformance to standards.
• Monitor operations to ensure compliance with safety or security policies or regulations.
• Set up laboratory or field equipment.
• Test mechanical systems to ensure proper functioning.