Required skills

accessing interpreting and applying a range of documents for the inspection of weighing instruments including

national measurement legislation

routine National Test Procedures

Certificates of Approval

National Measurement Institute inspection policy

national and international design rules

pattern approval documents

accessing and interpreting Certificates of Verification for a range of reference standards

performing inspections over durations of up to one day in routine environments

using advanced communication and negotiation skills to

explain the purpose of inspection

inform traders of noncompliances and consequences of failing to rectify them

access external equipment and resources to complete the inspection

explain inspection procedures and outcomes to traders verifiers and managers

accessing transporting setting up validating using and maintaining a range of test equipment and reference standards

identifying and evaluating environmental impacts on performance of a range of weighing instruments

conducting tests and recording results with close attention to detail and accuracy

performing calculations involving

fractions decimals ratios proportions and percentages

scientific notation correct units and the correct number of significant figures

interpretation of statistical quantities such as mean median mode range variance and standard deviation

analysing performance results over a number of operating conditions

identifying noncompliances with national measurement legislation relating to instrument or verifier performance and initiate appropriate enforcement action including warning infringement notice undertaking injunction and prosecution

identifying potential trading practice noncompliance with national measurement legislation and initiating an appropriate inspection strategy

planning routine tasks

developingimplementing an efficient inspection strategy that has a limited impact on traders the public employees and suppliers

demonstrating professionalism and maintaining the rights of the trader at all times

solving routineexpected problems

working safely which may include applying basic first aid confined space entry and working with heavy machinery

Required knowledge

general chemical and physical principles and concepts including weight mass and gravity

knowledge of the operating procedures across a range of environments including laboratories retail manufacturing industrial mining construction medical chemical petroleum farming and abattoirs

knowledge of metrological terms and terminology specific to weighing instruments such as maximum permissible errors traceability uncertainty maximum permissible difference eccentricity repeatability error of measurement error of indication and linearisation

national measurement legislation applicable to weighing instruments

detailed knowledge of National Test Procedures and operating procedures for equipment and reference standards used in job role including

purpose of test

test conditions and possible environmental impacts on performance of the instrument

key preparationmeasurement steps in test method

calculation steps to give results in appropriate units and precision

maximum permissible errors for weighing instruments under inspection

procedures for completing inspection documentation

organisational policy and procedures for verifying weighing instruments

safety principles and procedures relevant to instruments and test environment

basic first aid and site safety induction if required

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard for any class of weighing instrument listed in the Range Statement

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessors should ensure that candidates can

identify access and apply test procedures

identify and use suitable reference standards

evaluate and adjust the impact of the operating environment on the performance of the instrument

analyse test results to determine the instruments suitability for verification trade use

identify the scope of a verifier performance audit and assess results with expected outcomes

audit the performance of verifiers of weighing instruments

identify and implement additional inspection strategies for noninstrument related breaches of national measurement legislation

recognise and act on noncompliance

maintain the security and confidentiality of data in accordance with organisational and regulatory requirements

report results in the required formats and expected timeframe

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment

This unit of competency may be assessed with

MSATMREFA Use and maintain reference standards

MSATMREF301A Use and maintain reference standards.

Resources may include

limited weighing instruments test equipment and reference standards

computer and relevant software andor organisation information management system

Certificates of Approval for instruments

relevant legislative and organisational procedures

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

questions to assess understanding of relevant procedures licensing requirements trader obligations and remedial actions

review of inspection reports and verifier performance audit reports prepared by the candidate

feedback from supervisors and peers regarding the candidates ability to verify the performance of instruments in accordance with legislative and organisational procedures

observation of the candidate conducting an inspection

In all cases practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly Questioning techniques should suit the language and literacy levels of the candidate

This competency in practice

Industry representatives have provided the case studies below to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting

An inspector has been allocated a task of verifying a digital weighing instrument at a butchers premises In preparation for this visit the inspector accesses the organisations database to establish the type of instrument to be tested and any previous history of the instrument or trader The equipment required for this inspection is identified accessed and stowed in the vehicle securely and safely Particular attention is made to ensure the integrity of the reference standards is maintained and that they are still current according to their verification certificate On arrival at the butchers premises the inspector introduces himherself to the manager and explains the purpose of the visit and the process involved During this discussion the inspector explains that heshe will inspect the instrument for compliance with its Certificate of Approval assess the instruments operating environment for factors that may impact on its performance and conduct the visual and performance tests in accordance with the National Test Procedure If it complies with these requirements heshe will mark the instrument as being acceptable for trade use and complete all the required inspection documentation

During the inspection the inspector finds that the instrument has a tare capacity greater than that stated in the Certificate of Approval and the weighing performance of the instrument exceeds the maximum permissible error stated in the national measurement regulations As a result the inspector removes the previous verification mark from the instrument and issues the butcher a warning that the instrument cannot be used for trade until it has been corrected and verified again Before leaving the premises the inspector examines a sample of prepacked articles and the trading practices used by the trader for compliance with trade measurement legislation

instruments

Appropriate documentation

Certificates of Approval

Enforcement action

Test equipment

Legislation

National Measurement Institute policy

National Test Procedures for limited weighing instruments

OHS and environmental management requirements

Operating environmental impacts

Records