Required skills

Required skills include

operating a wide range of equipment correctly and safely in accordance with enterprise procedures

identifying nonconforming calibration tasks and requests and assessing their significance

researching current alternative calibration methods and equipment

quantifying the potential or actual impact of a wide range of testenvironmentalequipment influences on data quality

explaining complex calibration procedures to clients

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

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

preparing testcalibration documentation that is accurate and complies with requirements

recognising opportunities for improvements to procedures

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes

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

limits of authority and procedures for changing or deviating from standard calibration methods and procedures

structure and terminology used in standard calibration methods procedures requests and instructions

current calibration methods procedures and technology applications used in the laboratory

implications of changing or deviating from standard calibration procedures

equipment specifications and limitations and the implications of equipment substitution

hierarchy and appropriate selection of reference materials

handling transport storage and operation of reference and working standards

laboratory environmental control requirements

calculation procedures to give results in appropriate accuracy precision and units

equipment and testing method troubleshooting procedures

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

enterprise andor legal traceability 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 to the enterprise and customers

Specific industry

Additional knowledge requirements may apply for different industry sectors For example testing conducted in the following fields

acoustic and vibration measurement

chemical testing

construction materials testing

electrical testing

heat and temperature measurement

mechanical testing

metrology

nondestructive testing

optics and radiometry

pressure testing

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

identify nonconforming calibration tasks and requests and assess their significance

research current alternative calibration methods and equipment for a given request

quantify the potential or actual impact of a wide range of testenvironmentalequipment influences on data quality

explain complex calibration procedures to clients and clarify requirements and deviations

maintain very close attention to procedures accuracy and precision of measurement to ensure integrity of testcalibration results

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

prepare testcalibration documentation that is accurate and complies with requirements

operate a wide range of equipment correctly and safely

apply all relevant enterprise procedures to ensure the quality and integrity of the services or data they provide

recognise 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

MSLA Analyse data and report results

MSL925001A Analyse data and report results

MSLA Analyse measurements and estimate uncertainties

MSL925002A Analyse measurements and estimate uncertainties.

Resources may include

specialised calibrationtest equipment reference standards and materials 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 documentation completed by the candidate

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

observation of the candidate conducting nonstandard calibrations

oral or written questioning to check underpinning knowledge of nonstandard 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 techniciansspecialists have the skills and knowledge to operate maintain and calibrate a wide variety of complex test equipment and measuring instruments with limited guidance They must remain abreast of technical and equipment advances interpret complex technical information accurately and liaise with clients to clarify their needs They must demonstrate high levels of initiative and concentration when performing technically demanding measurements providing solutions for nonconforming work and when adjusting or repairing complex instruments The calibration specialists 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 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

Calibration

A client has delivered a new model vibration transducer to the laboratory and would like a full test report on the item A calibration technician assesses the job They conclude that because the item is new to the industry the laboratory will probably not have a documented calibration procedure A quick ring around the companys other laboratories confirms that a procedure has not been written yet They analyse the items technical specifications and realise that although a generic procedure will suffice for most of the tests it will have to be modified

The technician reports these concerns to the supervisor who confirms that the client wants to know if the item meets the manufacturers specifications Approval is given to the technician to modify a previous procedure The revised procedure is shown to the supervisor who checks each step and confirms the test is technically justified and all uncertainties have been calculated and documented

The technician sets up the reference standards confirms they are fully operational and within specification and begin the test Each stage of the test is carefully monitored to ensure the data is correct and valid On completion another technician conducts the test and the data is compared The supervisor is confident the test and data are valid and a report is generated including a method validation summary for the laboratorys records

Calibration

A calibration technician is scheduled to calibrate a clients signal generator in accordance with the manufacturers procedure The technician reads the procedure and assembles all the required reference standards but notices the laboratorys reference frequency counter is not available because it has been sent away for calibration The technician needs to substitute another instrument and so scans the other workbenches They decide on a particular model and refer to the instruments technical specifications to confirm that it has all the required ranges and is accurate enough Convinced this item will do the job the technician seeks and gains approval from the supervisor There is no need to consult with the customer because the substitution will have no negative influence on the results The technician completes the calibration in accordance with the procedure In the final report they document the details of the replacement equipment used in the test to ensure the repeatability of measurements and to comply with statutory regulations

Codes of practice

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Non-standard calibrations

Hazards

Safety procedures

Communication

Working environment

Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements