# Tasks & work activities — physics technician

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 19-4051.02 (Nuclear Monitoring Technicians) — manual nearest-occupation mapping via ISCO group 3111; the official ESCO crosswalk has no entry for this ESCO occupation.

## Task statements

- **[Core]** Brief workers on radiation levels in work areas.
- **[Core]** Analyze samples, such as air or water samples, for contaminants or other elements.
- **[Core]** Place radioactive waste, such as sweepings or broken sample bottles, into containers for shipping or disposal.
- **[Core]** Calculate safe radiation exposure times for personnel using plant contamination readings and prescribed safe levels of radiation.
- **[Core]** Provide initial response to abnormal events or to alarms from radiation monitoring equipment.
- **[Core]** Monitor personnel to determine the amounts and intensities of radiation exposure.
- **[Core]** Inform supervisors when individual exposures or area radiation levels approach maximum permissible limits.
- **[Core]** Instruct personnel in radiation safety procedures and demonstrate use of protective clothing and equipment.
- **[Core]** Determine intensities and types of radiation in work areas, equipment, or materials, using radiation detectors or other instruments.
- **[Core]** Collect samples of air, water, gases, or solids to determine radioactivity levels of contamination.
- **[Core]** Set up equipment that automatically detects area radiation deviations and test detection equipment to ensure its accuracy.
- **[Core]** Determine or recommend radioactive decontamination procedures, according to the size and nature of equipment and the degree of contamination.
- **[Core]** Decontaminate objects by cleaning with soap or solvents or by abrading with wire brushes, buffing wheels, or sandblasting machines.
- **[Supplemental]** Calibrate and maintain chemical instrumentation sensing elements and sampling system equipment, using calibration instruments and hand tools.
- **[Supplemental]** Enter data into computers to record characteristics of nuclear events or to locate coordinates of particles.
- **[Core]** Prepare reports describing contamination tests, material or equipment decontaminated, or methods used in decontamination processes.

## Detailed work activities

- Advise others on management of emergencies or hazardous situations or materials.
- Analyze environmental data.
- Calibrate scientific or technical equipment.
- Clean objects.
- Collect environmental data or samples.
- Communicate safety or hazard information to others.
- Dispose of hazardous materials.
- Dispose of trash or waste materials.
- Maintain laboratory or technical equipment.
- Measure radiation levels.
- Monitor alarm systems.
- Prepare operational reports.
- Record research or operational data.
- Respond to emergencies to provide assistance.
- Set up laboratory or field equipment.
- Train personnel in technical or scientific procedures.