physics-technician/references/tasks.md

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.