This unit of competency is applicable to trade measurement inspectors appointed under national measurement legislation who may inspect a wide range of limited weighing instruments as part of their allocated duties. For example, electronic weighing instruments are used to measure a wide range of products at the point of sale, as an order or as a pre-packaged article. The range of environments where these instruments is almost limitless. Some examples of these environments includes pharmaceutical laboratories, supermarkets, fresh food retailers, packing houses, chemical/petroleum industry, construction, mining and other extractive industry sectors.

Industry representatives have provided case studies to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting. These are found at the end of this unit of competency under the section 'This competency in practice'.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for inspection

1.1. Identify and evaluate the type of instrument to be inspected

1.2. Access and review any history of previous inspections at trader's premises

1.3. Access and correctly interpret appropriate documentation required for the inspection

1.4. Identify and access test equipment, products and consumables required for the inspection

1.5. Ensure specified test equipment is fit for purpose in accordance with applicable legislation and organisational procedures

1.6. Store and transport test equipment in accordance with organisational procedures and industry best practice

1.7. Identify workplace health and safety issues relevant to the inspection

2. Initiate inspection

2.1. Identify the site contoller, explain the purpose of the inspection and produce formal identification, if required

2.2. Identify relevant site health and safety issues and implement appropriate control strategies

2.3. Conduct a preliminary evaluation of the site's trading practices and prioritise activities to maximise inspection outcomes.

2.4. Identify trade measuring instruments and plan inspection to minimise disruption to the public and trader

3. Evaluate weighing instrument performance

3.1. Evaluate whether the operating environment will impact on the instrument performance

3.2. Modify the operating environment or implement alternative arrangements to ensure reliable test conditions as necessary

3.3. Identify the maximum permissible errors for the instrument from the legislative requirements

3.4. Use test equipment safely in accordance with applicable legislation and organisational procedures

3.5. Check instrument for compliance with the appropriate Certificates of Approval

3.6. Inspect the instrument in accordance with relevant National Test Procedure and appropriate National Measurement Institute policy

3.7. Evaluate results against prescribed performance criteria and determine if the instrument is suitable for trade use in accordance with legislative requirements

4. Conduct a verifier performance audit

4.1. Identify the scope of the verifier audit

4.2. Identify the expected outcomes of the verifier audit

4.3. Assess the verifier's performance against the expected outcome

4.4. Analyse any variances from the expected outcomes to identify isolated or systemic problems

5. Analyse and report inspection results

5.1. Analyse inspection data for unacceptable performance trends

5.2. Display the inspection result on the instrument in accordance with legislative requirements

5.3. Use test reports to present inspection results in the required format

5.4. Complete inspection documentation in accordance with legislative requirements and organisational procedures

5.5. Communicate inspection results within the specified time and in accordance with organisational guidelines

5.6. Recommend follow-up actions as appropriate.

6. Act on non-compliance

6.1. Select applicable enforcement action for the non-compliance in accordance with legislative requirements, organisational policy and procedures

6.2. Inform traders of non-compliances and consequences of failing to have them corrected

6.3. Implement enforcement action in accordance with legislative requirements, organisational policy and procedures

6.4. Maintain the rights of the trader at all times

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 non-compliances 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 non-compliances 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 non-compliance with national measurement legislation and initiating an appropriate inspection strategy

planning routine tasks

developing/implementing 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 routine/expected 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 preparation/measurement 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 instrument's 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 non-instrument related breaches of national measurement legislation

recognise and act on non-compliance

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:

MSATMREF301A Use and maintain reference standards.

Resources may include:

limited weighing instruments, test equipment and reference standards

computer and relevant software and/or 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 candidate's 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 butcher's premises. In preparation for this visit, the inspector accesses the organisation's 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 butcher's premises, the inspector introduces him/herself to the manager and explains the purpose of the visit and the process involved. During this discussion the inspector explains that he/she will inspect the instrument for compliance with its Certificate of Approval, assess the instrument's 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, he/she 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.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Prescribed performance criteria for

instruments

Prescribed performance criteria for instruments may include:

design is in accordance with the appropriate Certificates of Approval

performance meets the criteria described in the Certificates of Approval, National Test Procedure and legislation

Appropriate documentation

Where reference is made to documentation, it is expected the latest version will be used.

Appropriate documentation may include:

reference standards

Certificates of Verification

Certificates of Approval for limited weighing instruments

test procedures for verifying limited weighing instruments

organisational test reports

organisational procedures e.g. company quality assurance manual

National Measurement Act

occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations, guidelines and procedures and material safety data sheets (MSDS)

equipment manuals and warranty, supplier catalogues and handbooks

Certificates of Approval

Certificates of Approval may include:

any Certificate issued by the Chief Metrologist under Regulation 60 of the National Measurement Regulations approving the pattern of a limited weighing instrument as being suitable for trade

Enforcement action

Enforcement action may include:

formal warnings

infringement notice

formal undertaking

injunction

prosecution

Test equipment

Test equipment may include:

reference standards of measurement

Legislation

Legislation may include:

national measurement legislation

applicable Commonwealth, state and territory OHS legislation

National Measurement Institute policy

National Measurement Institute policy may include:

test procedure variations between a verification, in-service or audit inspection

bulletin

instruction

determination

National Test Procedures for limited weighing instruments

National Test Procedures for limited weighing instruments may include:

non-automatic weighing machines tested without substitution loads

automatic Class Y(a) Catchweighers

automatic Class Y(b) Catchweighers

any other test procedure prescribed by the National Measurement Institute

OHS and environmental management requirements

OHS and environmental management requirements refers to:

all operations must comply with enterprise OHS and environmental management requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or Federal legislation. These requirements must not be compromised at any time

all operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied

where relevant, users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council and State and Territory Departments of Health

Operating environmental impacts

Operating environmental impacts may include:

vibration

wind

heat

dust

electromagnetic interference

out of level

Records

Records may include:

test reports

safety procedures

a history of equipment calibration and test results

Weighing instruments

Inspectors may be required to test and mark classes of instruments from the following list.

Weighing instruments may include:

non-automatic weighing machines tested without substitution loads

automatic Class Y(a) Catchweighers

automatic Class Y(b) Catchweighers

any other test procedure prescribed by the National Measurement Institute

Unit sector

Trade Measurement

This unit contains employability skills.