Required skills

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

national measurement legislation

intermediate National Test Procedures

Certificates of Approval

National Measurement Institute inspection policy

Australian Standards

industry codes of practice

correction tables for volume density and pressure for a range of liquids

national and international design rules

pattern approval documents

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

performing inspection over extended durations up to five days in nonroutine and hazardous environments

using advanced communication and negotiation skills to

explain purpose of the inspection

inform traders of noncompliances and consequences of failing to rectify

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 broad range of test equipment and reference standards

identifying and evaluating environmental factors that may impact on performance of complex measuring instruments

organising large equipment to be dispatched ahead of inspection visit

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

performing complex calculations involving

fractions decimals ratios proportions and percentages

evaluation of formulae containing powers exponents and logarithms functions

use of scientific notation correct units and correct number of significant figures

calculation of uncertainties

preparation and interpretation of linear semilog and loglog graphs

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

determination of regression line equations and correlation coefficients

preparation and interpretation of more complex control charts and frequency distribution plots

analysing performance results over a broad range 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 complex tasks

developingimplementing an efficient inspection strategy that minimises disruption to traders the public technicians contractors employees colleagues and suppliers

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

solving unexpected problems and nonroutine issues

working safely which may include applying basic first aid confined space entry working with hazardous materials working safely in hazardous environments working with heavy machinery Australian Institute of Petroleum AIP cold work clearance permit safety induction working at heights and biosecurity issues

Required knowledge

general chemical and physical principles and concepts including

physical states solid liquid gas weight mass gravity and density

pressure pressure differential backpressure and head pressure

fluid flow

flashpoint boiling point and ice point

viscosity

temperature effects and coefficients of expansion

basic knowledge of the design application and function of components used in complex measuring instruments

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

knowledge of metrological terms and terminology specific to complex measuring instruments such as

maximum permissible errors maximum permissible difference and maximum permissible variation

traceability

repeatability

uncertainty error of measurement and error of indication

meter creep

hose dilation

temperature correction

linearisation

gas elimination

national measurement legislation applicable to complex 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 complex measuring instruments under inspection

procedures for completing inspection documentation

organisational policy and procedures for inspecting instruments

safety principles and procedures relevant to instruments

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 complex 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 complex measuring 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

access to a complex instrument test equipment and reference standards

computer and relevant software andor organisation information management system

Certificates of Approval for the instrument

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 inspect 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 given the task of inspecting a bulk flowmetering system at an oil company distribution terminal In preparation the inspector evaluates the instrument nominated for inspection identifies and accesses appropriate documentation for the inspection identifies and accesses equipment evaluates previous inspection data and develops an inspection strategyThe inspector visits the terminal to discuss the proposed inspection strategy with the site controller During this discussion the inspector discovers that access to the instrument has been restricted and modifications will have to be made to the area surrounding the instrument The site controller engages a contractor to make the necessary modifications and agrees on an inspection strategy that will minimise disruption to terminal operations

On completion of the modifications the inspector returns to the terminal to inspect the bulk flowmetering system The site controller has arranged for all the resources identified at the inspection strategy meeting to be available Prior to commencing any testing the inspector holds a meeting with all personnel involved in the inspection and describes the inspection strategy A fitter who will be operating the instrument identifies a problem and offers a solution The inspector agrees and adjusts the inspection strategy accordinglyAt the completion of the testing the inspector uses the recorded data in combination with a variety of data derived from correction tables and complex mathematical formulae to determine performance result for the instrumentThese results confirm the instruments performance is outside the acceptable maximum permissible errors The inspector informs the site controller of the outcome and issues a formal warning explaining that the instrument cannot be used for trade until it has been corrected and verified by a licensed verifierDuring a follow up visit the inspector confirms the instrument has been repaired and verifies it

Prescribed performance criteria for instruments

Appropriate documentation

Certificates of Approval

Enforcement action

Test equipment

Legislation may include

National Measurement Institute policy

National Test Procedures for complex instruments

OHS and environmental management requirements

Operating environmental impacts

Specified calculations

Records

Complex instruments