NZQA registered unit standard
25268 version 3
Page 1 of 5
Title
Guard against the dangers of electromagnetic radiation while
working on telecommunications network structures or sites
Level
4
Purpose
Credits
3
This unit standard covers the fundamental understanding of the
sources and types of electromagnetic radiation, the potential
dangers of overexposure, risk assessment and mitigation
strategies.
People credited with this unit standard are able to:
–
demonstrate knowledge of the sources and types of radio
frequency EMR and its associated risks, and methods of
detecting and reporting EMR hazards;
–
prepare for work at a telecommunications site with
potential EMR hazards;
–
verify and maintain the EMR hazard management plan
against an on-site situation; and
–
carry out work in accordance with the EMR hazard
management plan.
Classification
Telecommunications > Telecommunications - Service Delivery
Available grade
Achieved
Explanatory notes
1
This unit standard has been developed for learning and assessment on-job or off-job
in a simulated environment.
2
All tasks must be carried out in accordance with the Best Practice Guide (BPG)
based on:
a quality management systems;
b designer’s requirements and manufacturers' operating instructions; and
government and local government legislation, regulations, bylaws, Health and
Safety in Employment Act 1992, Health and Safety in Employment Regulations
1995, and Electricity Regulations 1997;
c the most up to date version of the:
http://www.business.govt.nz/worksafe/information-guidance/all-guidanceitems/best-practice-guidelines-for-working-at-height-in-new-zealand/workingheight.pdf, and all subsequent amendments and replacements;
d NZS 2772.1:1999, Radiofrequency fields – Maximum exposure levels – 3kHz to
300GHz;
AS 2550.10-2006, Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use – Mobile elevating work
platforms;
ISO 18878:2004, Mobile elevating work platforms – Operator (driver) training;
The Skills Organisation
SSB Code 100401
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
25268 version 3
Page 2 of 5
ISO 18893:2004, Mobile elevating work platforms – Safety principles, inspection,
maintenance and operation; available at
http://www.saiglobal.com/shop/Script/search.asp
3
Definitions
Company requirements: include the policy, procedures, and methodologies of the
company. They include legislative and regulatory requirements which may apply
across the company or to a specific site. Requirements are documented in the
company’s health and safety plans, contract work programmes, quality assurance
programmes, policies, and procedural documents.
Industry practice: those practices that competent practitioners within the industry
recognise as current industry best practice.
EMR: electromagnetic radiation complementary electrical and magnetic travelling
fields.
Telecommunications network structures: include poles, towers, masts and any
support for radio frequency emitting feeders, and antennae above ground level.
4
Assessment
Demonstration of competence in this unit standard must include sufficient experience
with EMR situations to satisfy the assessor that the demonstrated skills and
knowledge are repeatable.
Achievement of this unit standard does not imply that the holder is competent to carry
out EMR surveys.
5
Range
Those undertaking assessment against this unit standard must comply with the
requirements of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, relevant regulations,
and applicable site and company occupational safety and health procedures.
For the purpose of this unit standard EMR is restricted to radiation emitted within the
radio frequency range, ie 3kHz to 300GHz.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge of the sources and types of radio frequency EMR and its
associated risks, and methods of detecting and reporting EMR hazards.
Evidence requirements
1.1
Define radio frequency EMR
1.2
Identify potential sources of radio frequency EMR.
Range
evidence of three is required.
1.3
Describe the effect of antenna directivity or radiation pattern.
1.4
State the New Zealand permissible public and occupational EMR exposure
limits in accordance with NZS 2772.1:1999.
The Skills Organisation
SSB Code 100401
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
25268 version 3
Page 3 of 5
1.5
State the candidate’s company or organisation permissible public and
occupational EMR exposure limits in accordance with the company
requirements.
1.6
Describe the potential biological effects of overexposure to EMR in accordance
with NZS 2772.1:1999.
1.7
Describe the methods for determining EMR levels.
Range
1.8
Describe the strategies for eliminating, minimising, or isolating on-site EMR
hazards.
Range
1.9
personal monitoring devices, documentation, signage, EMR
measuring devices, calculations.
evidence of three is required.
Describe the methods for reporting EMR hazards in accordance with company
requirements.
Range
evidence of three is required.
Outcome 2
Prepare for work at a telecommunications site with potential EMR hazards.
Evidence requirements
2.1
Obtain and consult sources of information relating to the site and potential EMR
hazards.
Range
company records, site owner’s documentation, co-location records
if available.
2.2
Install and certify job objectives and specifications of equipment to be in
accordance with design drawings, installation plans, and equipment
manufacturers’ specifications.
2.3
Produce an EMR hazard management plan for a specific site in accordance
with company policy.
2.4
Source and obtain equipment required to support the EMR hazard management
plan in accordance with company policy.
Range
2.5
may include but is not limited to – personal protection equipment,
personal monitoring devices, EMR measuring devices;
evidence of two is required.
Document the EMR hazard management plan in accordance with company
policy.
The Skills Organisation
SSB Code 100401
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
25268 version 3
Page 4 of 5
Outcome 3
Verify and maintain the EMR hazard management plan against an on-site situation.
Evidence requirements
3.1
Review and update the EMR hazard management plan to match the on-site
situation in accordance with company policy on arrival at the site.
3.2
Communicate the revised EMR hazard management plan to all personnel on
site.
Outcome 4
Carry out work in accordance with the EMR hazard management plan.
Evidence requirements
4.1
Update the EMR hazard management plan in accordance with industry practice
in line with circumstances encountered as work progresses.
4.2
Maintain ongoing communication to all personnel regarding amendments to the
EMR hazard management plan in accordance with company policy.
4.3
Use a radiation suit is in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions and
industry practice.
Planned review date
31 December 2019
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
21 November 2008
31 December 2016
Revision
2
20 March 2009
31 December 2016
Review
3
16 July 2015
N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0003
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
The Skills Organisation
SSB Code 100401
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
25268 version 3
Page 5 of 5
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The
CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing
to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors
and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact The Skills Organisation at reviewcomments@skills.org.nz if you wish to
suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
The Skills Organisation
SSB Code 100401
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016