Required skills

accessing interpreting and applying a range of documents for the inspection of trading practices including

national measurement legislation

National Test Procedures

National Measurement Institute inspection policy

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

performing inspections over a wide range of 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 tradersand 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 measuring instruments

identifying and evaluating impacts of trader procedures on the measurement of articles

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

identifying noncompliances with national measurement legislation relating to trading practices and initiate appropriate enforcement action including warning infringement notice undertaking injunction and prosecution

identifying potential measuring instrument 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

Required knowledge

general physical principles and concepts including weight mass gravity volume length and area

knowledge of the operating procedures across a range of retail environments and some industrial and petroleum environments

knowledge of metrological terms and terminology such as maximum permissible errors traceability and uncertainty

national measurement legislation applicable to trading practices and measuring 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 measuring instruments under inspection

procedures for completing inspection documentation

organisational policy and procedures for inspecting trading practices

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 while inspecting any of the trading practices 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 and implement additional inspection strategies for nontrading practice 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

MSATMINSA Inspect a range of prepackaged products

MSATMINS404A Inspect a range of pre-packaged products

MSATMINSA Inspect a range of simple measures

MSATMINS301A Inspect a range of simple measures

MSATMINSA Inspect a range of simple measuring instruments

MSATMINS302A Inspect a range of simple measuring instruments

MSATMINSA Inspect a range of weighing instruments

MSATMINS401A Inspect a range of weighing instruments

MSATMINSA Inspect a range of liquid measuring instruments using volume measures

MSATMINS402A Inspect a range of liquid measuring instruments using volume measures.

Resources may include

measuring 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 trader obligations and remedial actions

review of inspection reports prepared by the candidate

feedback from supervisors and peers regarding the candidates ability to inspect trading practices in accordance with legislative and organisational procedures

observation of the candidate conducting a trading practice 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 is allocated a file to investigate a consumer complaint alleging that a butcher is over charging on purchases of meat During preparation for the inspection the inspector notices that the trader was recently issued with an infringement notice for a similar offence On arrival at the premises the inspector observes the trading practices visible from outside the premises and develops a trial purchase plan On entry the inspector inspects the shop layout staff actions operation of the scales advertising and the method of selling meat Heshe observes some cuts of meat are not being advertised and sold by weight as required by national measurement legislation and eye fillet is being advertised for sale at a price per g without a reference to its price per kilogram The inspector modifies the purchase plan to include an additional purchase of meat not apparently being sold by weight

The inspector conducts the trial purchase of two separate cuts of meat The first cut of meat is weighed on a scale that indicates kg without anything on the weigh platter The second cut is being sold for a set price per item After paying for the meat the inspector identifies the site controller introduces himherself explains a trial purchase had been completed and the process for the remainder of the inspection The inspector weighs the first cut of meat on the same scale used by the butcher during the trial purchase Before weighing the meat heshe resets the scale to zero and finds the meat weighs kg less than the weight heshe was charged for The prepackaged products being offered for sale are found to be correct weight and correctly marked as required by legislation The inspector records notes of the trial purchase in hisher notebook then tests the accuracy of the weighing instruments and notes that the scales had been verified last month

Before leaving the premises the inspector informs the site controller of the noncompliances ie selling an article with a short fall using a weighing instrument incorrectly selling meat other than by reference to its weight and not advertising meat for sale at a price per kilogram Heshe outlines the resulting enforcement actions and consequences for failing to correct the noncompliances

On returning to the office the inspector disposes of the trial purchase files hisher notes and photographs as evidence of the noncompliance and reports the inspection outcomes in accordance with organisational policy and procedures

Appropriate documentation

Certificates of Approval

Enforcement action

Test equipment

Legislation

National Measurement Institute policy

National Test Procedures

OHS and environmental management requirements

Operating environmental impacts

Records

Trading practices