ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS ANALYSIS of Decontamination/Radwaste Technician Introduction The decontamination technician position may be referred to by several job titles, including: o Radwaste Technician o Utility Worker o Decon Tech For usage in this document the expression decontamination technician (Decon. Tech.) will be used. Decon. Techs responsibilities predominantly include performing specialized cleaning of plant areas, equipment, and components to remove radioactive material. As such, their duties are akin to those of a specialized industrial cleaning service. Activities performed by Decon. Techs assist in removing radioactive material and, therefore, lessening the exposure of other plant workers to radiation. Installing shielding material to reduce radiation exposure is also an expected duty. Collateral duties are often to collect and process protective clothing and remove material containing radioactive material (radwaste) from plant areas. Decon. Technicians may be required to operate low and high pressure water systems (i.e., hydrolasers) and apply special coatings using spray guns powered by compressed air. Decon. Techs may drive a client/company vehicle in the performance of certain duties. a Decon Tech may be required to perform a preliminary radiation or contamination survey using portable survey instruments and proper techniques. Decon. Techs will use appropriate personal protective equipment, which may include respirators, fall protection, safety glasses, and hard hat, etc., as conditions warrant. Decon. Techs are required to use/wear the appropriate safety equipment for each applicable task and may establish requirements for the use of protective equipment by other work groups. The Decontamination technician is expected to successfully all basic knowledge/skills and procedural/ojt testing in accordance with site guidelines for the position. The Decontamination technician is also expected to discharge all the expectations of the position without physical or medical limitations unless previously documented and approved for the assignment. A decontamination technician must be able to read, understand, and comply with procedures written at the high school level and to communicate with co-workers. SUMMARY OF MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Removing radioactive material from plant areas, equipment, and facilities using standard industrial and specific or specialized decontamination cleaning techniques. 2. Installing shielding (e.g., lead blankets) in designated areas. 3. Collecting and processing protective clothing or radioactive trash (radwaste) from plant areas. 4. Adhering to regulations, policies, and procedures. 5. Works overtime as required on as scheduled or emergency basis. 6. Safely operating decontamination equipment utilizing high pressure water, strippable coatings, or other decontamination media. This information is a summary and is not intended to be all inclusive or to take the place of sound management discretion.
In summary, the essential functions of Decon. Techs positions consist of spending long periods of time in the physical activities of standing, walking, climbing, lifting, carrying, twisting, kneeling, stooping, bending and crouching as required to do work as a team member in providing decontamination support for the safe, costeffective, and reliable operation of the plant. This position also involves handling equipment ranging in weight from 1-100 lbs. Equipment or containers that weighs >45 lbs. are lifted by Decon. Techs, with the assistance of others and/or equipment. The equipment used includes: ventilation units, specialized cleaning equipment, lead blankets, etc. Decon. Techs jobs are most often performed in the Protected Area, Radiological Controlled Areas (RCA), radioactive waste handling buildings, interim material storage yards, warehouses, and laundry processing facilities. The work is performed under an assortment of weather conditions and temperature extremes, internal as well as external to the plant. The prevailing physical demands of the Decon. Tech position are medium to heavy. Work Schedule Rotating Shifts On Call: Overtime: 12-12½ hrs. /day and night (possibly up to 6 consecutive days) 8 hr. days/5 days per week (possibly up to 12 consecutive days) As required for emergencies. As required to support plant activities and extended overtime during outages. Not to exceed NRC guidelines or Fatigue Rules as applicable to the position. Please refer to the following general guidelines when determining frequency Rarely Less than ten percent of the shift spent in this activity. Up to 33 percent of the shift spent in this activity. Up to 55 percent of the shift spent in this activity. From 67-100 percent of the shift spent in this activity. Strength Requirement Medium to heavy work (will vary with assignment) Light Work is defined as conditions less than those defined for medium work. Medium work is defined as exerting 20-50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10-25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to ten pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for light work. Heavy work is defined as exerting 50-100 pounds of force occasionally with assistance, and or 25-50 pounds of force frequently, and/or 10-20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for medium work.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Activity Duration Standing Walking Sitting Stooping/Bending Crouching Crawling Twisting PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (cont.) Balancing to Tactile Use hands and fingers to handle and feel objects, tools or controls as well as reach with hands and arms Climbing Type Height Ladder 0-50 to Scaffold 0-50 to Stairs 0-40 to Work in a high heat/humidity environment for a calculated stay-time (based on OSHA standards.) Lifting 1-15 lbs. 16-30 lbs. 31-45 lbs. >45 lbs. <80 lbs. (lead shielding, radwaste bags, laundry, etc.) (with assistance) Waist: 1-20 lbs. 21-40 lbs. Shoulder high: 1-20 lbs. Above the head: 1-20 lbs. Carrying (material and equipment around the plant site) 1-30 lbs. >30 lbs. Pushing/Pulling-lbs. of force (to tighten bolts and remove lids from casks) 0-50 lbs. 50-100 lbs. Reaching Handling Fingering Feeling Coordination (eye, hand, foot) Physical requirements to wear respiratory protection as defined by a medical authority to to Rarely to (with assistance) to to
SENSORY ABILITY Activity Critical Not Critical Ability to: Distinguish color See Hear/listen Speak Touch Smell (gases) MENTAL CAPACITY (Perform on a daily basis) Reading Radiation Work Permits, timesheets, survey maps, procedures.. Writing Completing timesheets, daily event logs, briefing sheets, and other documents. Math Skills Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. Reasoning/decision making Performing self-assessment of surrounding conditions & recognizing potential problems based on briefing information. Comprehension Must have the ability to receive and comprehend instructions from Supervisor/ client. Weighing, measuring, and basic analyses Scales ruler, tapes, dosimetry devices. Some limited radiation survey data, radiation detection instrumentation. Visualizing Determining what is taking place from a safety standpoint and being able to recognize potential safety hazards Problem Solving Evaluating work-place conditions and determining the appropriate individual action. Managing resources Equipment, time, materials, etc. Computer Skills Perform basic manipulation of computers and related equipment such as making and retrieving data, reading E-mail, accessing reports, and using computer based training.
WORK ENVIRONMENT Indoors to Outdoors In a vehicle (e.g., forklifts, trailers, carts, Rarely to occasionally trucks, etc.) Noise level sometimes warrants hearing protection in certain areas. Working under pressure. Rarely to Working rapidly Surface on which work is performed: Grating Concrete Asphalt Soil Gravel Standing water Clothing (able to don protective clothing as needed) Heat stress (extreme temperatures/humidity associated with work, e.g., 100-140 )