ARPANSA’s licence holders use radiation across a wide range of activities with varying degrees of complexity. This is reflected in the inspection program through a graded approach that focuses on activities with the highest safety significance.
Performance objectives and criteria
Performance objectives and criteria (POC) are used by ARPANSA inspectors to support a consistent, transparent and rigorous approach to inspection that is consistent with the risk of a facility or source. POC provide a comprehensive list of features, controls and behaviours that contribute to safety. When considered with relevant codes and standards the POC assist the detailed planning and conduct of each inspection and support a qualitative assessment of safety.
Collecting evidence
To make an assessment about compliance with the Act and Regulations, inspectors may gather evidence from a range of sources. These include:
- inspecting, examining, taking measurements or conducting tests of equipment or materials
- taking photographs, video or audio recordings
- any record or document which the inspector requests
- speaking with staff and other people on-site.
In rare circumstances which involve hazardous situations, the inspector has the power to seize equipment or materials or may direct others to take appropriate actions.
Speaking with staff
The ability to speak freely with workers and ask questions at all levels in an organisation is a normal part of ARPANSA inspections. In addition to other forms of information, talking with workers during an inspection is useful to build an accurate understanding of an organisation’s safety performance and compliance. An open dialogue is in the interest of safety and offers an opportunity to discuss safety issues that may otherwise have been overlooked. To help workers not feel pressured, these conversations are typically done in private or in small groups and at a time and place that suits the workers. Inspectors will always take an individual’s privacy concerns seriously.
