Required skills

Required skills include

selecting and applying appropriate test methods and calibration procedures

maintaining close attention to procedures accuracy and precision of measurement to ensure the integrity of testcalibration results

using calibration and correction charts

calculating to give results in appropriate accuracy precision and units

preparing testcalibration documentation that is accurate and complies with requirements

operating equipment correctly and safely

recognising problems or departures in systems and documentation and initiating actions to prevent or minimise them

recognising and report opportunities for improvements to procedures

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes

purpose of metrology and calibration including common terminology concepts principles procedures and applications

National Association of Testing Authoritys NATA and National Measurements Institutes NMI role in the measurement and testing system in Australia

traceability including legal requirements for traceability

requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories eg AS ISOIEC as they affect job role and responsibilities

hierarchy and appropriate selection of reference materials and instruments

nonconformancenoncompliance procedures and protocols associated with equipment reference material and calibration procedures

troubleshooting procedures for equipment and test methods

methods for statistical analysis means ranges and standard deviations and estimation of uncertainty of measurement may include the use of software

reporting procedures and legislative requirements

handling transport storage and operation of reference and working standards

laboratory environmental control requirements

relevant health safety and environmental requirements

layout of the enterprise divisions and laboratory

organisational structure of the enterprise

lines of communication

role of laboratory services for the enterprise and customers

Specific calibration fields

Additional knowledge requirements may apply for different calibration fields For example testing and calibrations conducted in the following

acoustic and vibration measurement

chemical testing

construction materials testing

electrical testing

heat and temperature measurement

mechanical testing

metrology

nondestructive testing

optics and radiometry

pressure measurements

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

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

Assessors should ensure that candidates can

maintain very close attention to procedures accuracy and precision of measurement to ensure integrity of testcalibration results especially during lengthy tests

critically examine each calibration step to ensure repeatability and validity of data

apply all relevant procedures and regulatory requirements to ensure the quality and integrity of the services or data provided

prepare testcalibration documentation that is accurate and complies with requirements

operate equipment correctly and safely

recognise problems or departures in systems and documentation and initiate actions to prevent or minimise them

recognise and report opportunities for improvements to procedures

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

MSL Process and interpret data

relevant MSL series unit of competency

relevant MSL series unit of competency

Resources may include

specialised calibrationtest equipment reference standards and laboratory facilities

access to a library of calibration methods procedures and equipment specifications

enterprise quality manual and procedures

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

review of calibration results uncertainty calculations and workplace documentation completed by the candidate

feedback from supervisors andor customers regarding quality of calibration services provided by the candidate

observation of the candidate performing standard calibrations

oral or written questioning to check underpinning knowledge of standard calibration procedures

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

Where applicable reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity age gender demographics and disability

Access must be provided to appropriate learning andor assessment support when required

The language literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work like environment

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

Background

Calibration work may be simple or highly complex depending upon the type of equipment being calibrated and the accuracy or uncertainties required Manual calibrations may involve interconnecting equipment and setting the stimulus devices to the settings listed in the procedure At each setting the technician must verify that the response or output of the unit under test UUT is within the tolerances specified in the procedure In addition many procedures require that asfound before adjustment and asleft after adjustment results are recorded for maintaining the UUT documentation history

Often calibration technicians must assess and document the total uncertainties for a given measurement by analysing equipment specifications and methodology during calibration They have to interpret specifications and technical information and demonstrate initiative when adjusting and repairing instruments

The calibration technicians workload can be routine and repetitive A perpetual backlog of work and the constant need to reduce turnaroundtime to meet client demands coupled with enterprise productivity goals can induce stress and mental fatigue if not carefully managed However it is essential that all personnel are able to perform tests and associated work tasks without undue pressure that might influence technical judgement if integrity of measurement is to be retained Errors arising from items incorrectly calibrated will at best have to be recalled which wastes time resources and destabilises enterprise credibility At worst if undetected they may have severe safety implications to personnel or equipment depending on the nature of the item

Calibration

A customer delivers a test pressure gauge and requires certification that the gauge conforms to manufacturers specifications Personnel in the item reception area log the job and the laboratory supervisor assigns it to a calibration technician Heshe reads the work order and retrieves the approved calibration procedure The procedure requires the customers gauge to be tested to kPa using a hydraulic test station The technician assembles the required apparatus and personal protective equipment The gauge is visually inspected for defects and contamination The temperature of the environment is checked and the hydraulic test station confirmed as fully operational The required pressures are applied to the gauge and the indicated readings are transcribed onto the test report The technician notes that some readings are outside the allowable tolerance and adjustments will have to be made Heshe takes another set of readings after making the necessary adjustments and records them on the report The technician applies the required labels to the gauge updates the database produces a test report and places the item on the quality assurance bench for inspection by the supervisor The supervisor visually inspects the item and checks the readings on the report The job has taken two hours to complete

Calibration

A client has asked the laboratory to calibrate a spectrum analyser to manufacturers specification The supervisor assigns the job to a calibration technician who reads the job sheet and locates the appropriate calibration procedure Although this spectrum analyser will be calibrated partly with the aid of automated technology the technician estimates that the calibration will still take about nine hours to complete The technician reads the procedure and assembles the equipment and allows for the required warmup time for instrument stabilisation Possible sources of error are minimised by cleaning connectors and tensioning them with the torque spanner The technician performs the manual phase of the test and manually records pages of results The equipment is reconnected for the automated part of the procedure the test recommenced The technician produces a further six pages of results These are assessed for errors and nonconformances and all calculations are carefully checked A final report is produced which accompanies the spectrum analyser to the quality assurance bench for checking by the supervisor All cables and equipment used for the calibration are returned to the store

Codes of practice

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Standard calibrations

Hazards

Safety procedures

Reference materials

Communication

Working environment

Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements