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Nuclear operative - Nuclear Decommissioning Operative

Nuclear operative - Nuclear Decommissioning Operative

Engineering and manufacturing

Level 2 - Technical Occupation

Responsible for the operation of plant systems and equipment on nuclear facilities.

Reference: OCC0291A

Status: assignment_turned_inApproved occupation

Average (median) salary: £42,362 per year

SOC 2020 code: 2129 Engineering professionals n.e.c.

SOC 2020 sub unit groups:

  • 8133/99 Energy plant operatives n.e.c.
  • 8133/03 Nuclear decommissioning operatives

Technical Education Products

ST0291:

Nuclear operative - Nuclear Decommissioning Operative

(Level 2)

Approved for delivery

Employers involved in creating the standard:

Sellafield Ltd, National Skills Academy for Nuclear, Magnox Ltd, EDF Energy, Westinghouse Springfields Fuels Ltd, LLW Repository Ltd, Nuvia, Nuclear Institute, Cogent Skills, Cavendish Nuclear, Wood

Summary

The Nuclear Operative is responsible for the hands on operation of plant systems and equipment on a nuclear facility and associated off site plant. This will involve working within a variety of environments within nuclear facilities, either operational work or decommissioning work (a process of removing all radioactive, non-radioactive and contaminated plant and equipment), necessitating the use of innovative methods and equipment, where required, and the practical skills associated with this. The working conditions are varied and may involve wearing specialist safety equipment, and working on sites running 365 day operations. Nuclear Operatives will be required to work individually and as part of a team, meeting required standards and adhering to strict controls and procedures. Nuclear sites are highly regulated and a premium is placed on demonstrating an understanding of nuclear, radiological and conventional safety, together with the appropriate attitudes and behaviours to ensure apprentices comply with organisational safety and regulatory requirements at all times. Decommissioning option role responsibilities: The Nuclear Decommissioning Operative is responsible for the safe operation and surveillance of nuclear plants within their decommissioning phase, including dismantling, removal and disposal of a variety of plant and equipment associated with a nuclear licensed site, often using state-of-the-art techniques and equipment. This will be achieved through disciplined operations, efficient team working, developing solutions to project requirements and the deployment of bespoke equipment to aid decommissioning. This role will involve the sampling, size reduction, segregation and packaging of different categorisations of waste within a number of challenging environments, often in full personal and respiratory protective equipment, ensuring all work is conducted to national and industry standards and best practice to minimise any impact to the workforce, public and environment. Process option role responsibilities: The Nuclear Process Operative is responsible for safely carrying out plant process operations in a variety of nuclear operating plants including but not limited to fuel manufacture and storage, nuclear reactors, reprocessing, and waste processing and storage. The role requires a good understanding of the operating plant, processes and materials and the operating rules and procedures required for the safe operation of plant equipment, monitoring and adjusting controls, recording data in logs, taking operational samples and responding to emergency procedures.

Employers involved in creating the standard:

Sellafield Ltd, National Skills Academy for Nuclear, Magnox Ltd, EDF Energy, Westinghouse Springfields Fuels Ltd, LLW Repository Ltd, Nuvia, Nuclear Institute, Cogent Skills, Cavendish Nuclear, Wood

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Dark Green occupation

Typical job titles include:

Nuclear Decommissioning Operative
Nuclear Process Operative

Keywords:

Nuclear
Nuclear Environment
Nuclear Facilities
Nuclear Operative
Operative

Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)

K1: The practice involved with the minimisation, packaging and removal of hazardous materials and transfer of materials to designated storage area.
K2: A variety of continuous improvement
K3: The safety (nuclear, radiological, conventional and environmental), security and behavioural expectations of those working on nuclear
K4: The fundamental principles and implications of radiation
K5: The procedures for dealing with radioactive discharges, waste and environmental control
K6: The reasons for and application of a variety of safety management systems such as Permit to Work, Standard Operating Procedures and Risk
K7: The implications and relevance of company policy, external legislation and regulation on working practices (including environmental control).
K8: How Human Performance and Human Factors affect nuclear safety culture
K9: How to respond correctly to Emergency Arrangements
K10: How plant equipment and systems such as ventilation, steam and cooling water operate and support safe
K11: The decommissioning practices and supporting activities required to enable the safe dismantling, size reduction, waste processing and decontamination of plant and equipment on a nuclear facility.

S1: Work safely in a nuclear environment under a Safe System of Work (SSOW) including Risk Assessment
S2: Apply and comply with Operating Rules and Instructions and applying correct reporting procedures
S3: Monitor plant indications and conditions of plant and equipment closely and record data accordingly
S4: Identify, respond and implement relevant actions in the event of abnormal or emergency situations
S5: Prepare work areas in radioactive and non-radioactive environments
S6: Carry out Sampling Operations
S7: Assemble and dismantle equipment and plant items
S8: Carry out Waste management to sort, segregate, transfer & minimise waste arisings
S9: Operate effectively in Personal Protective Equipment, (PPE), such as respirators and pressurised suits
S10: Conduct surveillance of plant equipment and processes to ensure correct operation
S11: Respond correctly to equipment, facility and site alarms
S12: Carryout the identified safe application of radiological monitoring equipment, process and assurance
S13: Effectively communicate and handover tasks and work areas
S14: Configure, isolate and reinstate plant and equipment
S15: Conduct plant and equipment decontamination activities
S16: Interpret technical drawings and documentation
S17: Safely operate plant process and systems
S18: Operate ancillary equipment, e.g. cranes, fork lift trucks, access platforms, remote handling equipment
S19: Apply routine problem solving techniques
S20: Support and prepare alpha or beta/gamma radiation/contamination controlled work areas
S21: Effectively support and assist other work streams within their work environment
S22: Carry out the safe delivery of identified minor maintenance activities
S23: Dismantle contaminated plant, structures and equipment
S24: Decontaminate radioactive plant and materials
S25: Solve routine decommissioning problems
S26: Operate standard, purpose built or designed equipment for decommissioning purposes.
S27: Remove and transfer hazardous materials etc to designated storage locations

B1: Safety: They always demonstrate a strong commitment to personal safety behaviours as set out in nuclear industry requirements. They actively challenge unsafe practices. They understand the relationship between nuclear and radiological safety and ensure this is reinforced in the workplace;
B2: Integrity: They ensure openness in relations with workers, customers and other stakeholders. They promote and model the highest standards of professional conduct, ethics and integrity;
B3: Resilience: They work well under pressure, continuously strive for excellence in all they do and have sufficient maturity to challenge poor performance or non-conformance in a tactful and diplomatic manner;
B4: Quality: They follow rules, procedures and principles to ensure work completed is fit for purpose and pay attention to detail and carry out appropriate risk assessment and error checks throughout work activities;
B5: Personal Responsibility: They take responsibility for completing tasks and procedures, correctly and safely;
B6: Team Working: They contribute towards the improvement of collaborative working and coaching others where appropriate;
B7: Communication: They always demonstrate effective and appropriate communication, using oral, written and electronic methods; working effectively with others, with regard for diversity and equality;
B8: Conservative Bias: Establish a conservative approach to plant operations to maintain a safe operating environment;
B9: Security: They always work in a manner that ensures security is maintained in the nuclear

Occupational Progression

This occupational progression map shows technical occupations that have transferable knowledge and skills.

In this map, the focused occupation is highlighted in yellow. The arrows indicate where transferable knowledge and skills exist between two occupations. This map shows some of the strongest progression links between the focused occupation and other occupations.

It is anticipated that individuals would be required to undertake further learning or training to progress to and from occupations. To find out more about an occupation featured in the progression map, including the learning options available, click the occupation.

Progression decisions have been reached by comparing the knowledge and skills statements between occupational standards, combined with individualised learner movement data.

Technical Occupations

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Level 2

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Level 2

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Level 5

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Engineering and manufacturing