Working with an X-Ray machine to inspect aviation shipments? Then you must be well educated. What is radiation? What are the dangers? And in what way should you interpret the images? Controller Air Cargo X-Ray is a specialized training course for employees who work with the X-Ray machine.
X-Ray. Better known in the Netherlands as: x-rays. “This technique is used in the medical world, but also in air cargo,” explains lecturer Sander de Man. “With radiation, the contents of a package can be examined without opening it.” That’s nice, of course, but its use is not without dangers. “X-Ray is radiation. Exposure to too high a dose can even result in death. That makes it necessary for employees to know well how the machine works and in what ways they can avoid risks. Their employers also owe them this under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.”
Such an X-Ray is a great tool, but you have to know what you are doing. You don’t drive a Ferrari without a license either….
The Controller Air Cargo X-Ray course is there for both employee safety and aviation security. “The latter is a requirement from the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee,” the instructor explains. “Air cargo inspectors have enormously responsible work; they check air cargo shipments for the presence of bombs and grenades, drugs, contraband or other hidden dangerous substances. So it is not surprising that they have to be certified.”
Theory and practice
The Controller of Air Cargo X-Ray course takes three days; a combination of theory and practice. “In theory, we cover how the machine works, the safety precautions you need to observe, and we learn how to interpret the machine’s images. You learn to recognize colors, shapes and densities. When does the machine give good images? And when should you call a maintenance man? And, more importantly, when do you not trust the images and call the Explosieve Opruimingsdienst (EOD)? The Air Cargo X-Ray Controller must make important decisions in a split second. Such an X-Ray is a great tool, but you have to know what you’re doing. After all, you don’t drive a Ferrari without a license either…”
Making flying hours
After theory, it’s time for practice; flying hours. “Being able to properly operate the machine and interpret the images is a matter of gaining experience. The same goes for opening suspicious packages. If you cannot see accurately enough on the images what the packages contain, you will have to have an explosives detection dog check them or perform a manual examination yourself. Again, this is something we will work with in the training. Also, all participants will be given a test for color blindness and for spatial awareness. You have to be able to recognize a weapon or bomb from all sides.”
Unique: practice guidance
The training concludes with a test. From that point on, participants are officially competent to work independently with the X-Ray. “In practice, we often see that participants find it enormously exciting to bear full responsibility immediately,” Sander continues. “Especially for them, we offer the possibility of practical guidance. This is always customized and is done in consultation with our client. We help the employees get started in their own company and sit alongside them to watch and provide feedback if necessary. In this way they can make a fine start.”
Recurrent training online (6×6)
Because the Controller Air Cargo X-Ray does such responsible work, it is essential that he keeps his skills up to date. “For this, he has to take at least 6 hours of practical tests every six months,” Sander explains. “For this, Special Cargo College has designed an online module where employees can easily follow the refresher sessions. The system also keeps track of passing. This way, the trainee can easily keep his or her certification current.”
