Application
This unit of competency covers the ability to recognise non-conforming calibration work, research and select the most appropriate test method or calibration procedure for a given measurement request, and then conduct the calibration. It also covers the ability to modify and revise existing procedures or substitute alternative instruments and measurement standards, when necessary.
This unit of competency is applicable to calibration technicians/specialists who carry out calibrations in first, second and third party laboratories, and laboratories where testing and/or calibration forms part of inspection or product certification. They work with limited guidance and results of their work are checked by the laboratory manager, quality inspector or designated signatory.
The unit requires personnel to use a wide variety of precision measuring equipment and standards and cope with deviations from the explicit procedural instructions detailed in standard procedures and work instructions. When deviations do occur, each case must be documented, technically justified, authorised and accepted by the client.
While no specific licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication, laboratory operations are governed by relevant legislation, regulations and/or external accreditation requirements. Local requirements should be checked.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Select the appropriate calibration procedure | 1.1 | Identify non-conforming calibration tasks and requests and analyse their significance |
1.2 | Review the authorised procedure and establish whether it is appropriate for the test, as required | ||
1.3 | Research an alternative or adapt an existing procedure to satisfy the test specification requirements, if required | ||
1.4 | Confirm that available resources meet all the requirements of the calibration procedure | ||
1.5 | Obtain authorisation prior to substituting equipment, changing or deviating from the specified procedure | ||
1.6 | Document and validate any authorised changes or deviations in accordance with workplace procedures | ||
2 | Prepare items for calibration | 2.1 | Identify hazards and use the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), safety equipment and procedures |
2.2 | Assemble and set up reference standards and associated equipment prior to testing | ||
2.3 | Verify performance of reference standards and measuring equipment prior to use and adjust or calibrate as necessary | ||
2.4 | Identify and minimise potential sources of measurement error | ||
3 | Perform calibration | 3.1 | Perform individual tests and document each step in the calibration procedure to ensure repeatability of measurement |
3.2 | Critically analyse readings to confirm they are the result of a valid measurement and record data as required (as-found or before adjustment) | ||
3.3 | Adjust device under test to bring readings within tolerance and record results (as-left or after adjustment) if required | ||
3.4 | Analyse resulting test data to detect trends or inconsistencies that would significantly affect the accuracy or validity of test results | ||
3.5 | Seek appropriate advice when result interpretation is outside authorised scope of approval | ||
4 | Document results | 4.1 | Document compliance/non-compliance with requirements of test and/or specifications |
4.2 | Estimate and document uncertainty of measurement in accordance with workplace procedures | ||
4.3 | Record the results of each test/calibration accurately, unambiguously and objectively | ||
4.4 | Ensure confidentiality of workplace information | ||
5 | Finalise calibration | 5.1 | Prepare and issue a final report for the job/item detailing testing carried out, statement of compliance and all other required information |
5.2 | Report any non-compliance and verify next course of action with supervisor | ||
5.3 | Attach calibration labels, equipment stickers, quality control tags and tamper resistant seals as required in workplace procedures | ||
5.4 | Report all changes and deviations that may have a significant influence on the test | ||
5.5 | Store test equipment/measurement standards and results in accordance with workplace procedures |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of competence in this unit must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include demonstration of:
recognising non-conforming calibration tasks and requests and assessing their significance
researching and selecting the most appropriate test method or calibration procedure for a given measurement request and conducting the calibration
modifying and revising existing procedures or substituting alternative instruments and measurement standards
safely performing non-standard calibrations of test and measurement equipment in accordance with workplace procedures on at least two (2) occasions
quantifying the potential or actual impact of a wide range of test/environmental/equipment influences on data quality
maintaining close attention to all relevant safety procedures, regulatory requirements and the accuracy and precision of measurement to ensure the quality and integrity of test/calibration results
critically examining each calibration step to ensure repeatability and validity of data
using calculation procedures to give results in appropriate accuracy, precision and units
using methods for statistical analysis (means, ranges and standard deviations) and estimation of uncertainty of measurement (can use software)
preparing test/calibration documentation that is accurate and complies with requirements
explaining complex calibration procedures to clients and clarifying requirements and deviations
recognising and reporting opportunities for improvements.
Evidence of Knowledge
Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:
requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories (e.g. AS ISO/IEC 17025) 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 of reference materials
handling, transport, storage and operation requirements of reference and working standards
equipment and testing method troubleshooting procedures
reporting procedures and legislative requirements
workplace and/or legal traceability requirements
work health and safety (WHS) and laboratory environmental control requirements.
Additional knowledge requirements relevant to the workplace context that apply for different calibration fields must be assessed, including testing and calibration conducted in the following fields:
acoustic and vibration measurement
chemical testing
construction materials testing
electrical testing
heat and temperature measurement
mechanical testing
metrology
non-destructive testing
optics and radiometry
pressure testing.
Assessment Conditions
Judgement of competence must be based on holistic assessment of the evidence. Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time, rather than a single assessment event.
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment. A simulated workplace environment must reflect realistic operational workplace conditions that cover all aspects of workplace performance, including the environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.
Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept in each case).
This unit of competency may be assessed with:
MSL925001 Analyse data and report results
MSL925002 Analyse measurements and estimate uncertainties
Holistic assessment methods include:
review of non-standard calibration results, uncertainty calculations and documentation completed by the candidate
feedback from supervisors and/or customers regarding quality of calibration services provided by the candidate
observation of the candidate conducting non-standard calibrations
oral or written questioning to check required knowledge of non-standard calibration procedures.
Access is required to instruments, equipment, materials, workplace documentation, procedures and specifications associated with this unit, including, but not limited to:
specialised calibration/test equipment, reference standards and materials and laboratory facilities
calibration methods, procedures and equipment specifications
workplace quality manual and procedures.
Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.
The assessor must demonstrate both technical competence and currency.
Technical competence can be demonstrated through:
relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment AND/OR
relevant workplace experience.
Currency can be demonstrated through:
performing the competency being assessed as part of current employment OR
having consulted with a laboratory about performing the competency being assessed within the last twelve months.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. | |
Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements | Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace procedures include the current version of one or more of: Australian and international standards and codes covering: general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, laboratory safety, quality and environmental management accuracy of measurement methods and results, expression of uncertainty (GUM), quantifying uncertainty in analytical measurement, quality assurance of measurement equipment national work health and safety (WHS) standards, codes of practice registration/licensing and/or National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accreditation requirements safety requirements for equipment, materials or products; material safety data sheets (MSDS); and incident and accident/injury reports standard operating procedures (SOPs), recording and reporting procedures quality manuals, equipment and operating/technical manuals test methods and calibration procedures (validated and authorised) test methods and calibration procedures published by international, national or regional standards, reputable technical organisations, scientific texts or journals and equipment manufacturers laboratory layout, work flows and schedules |
Non-standard calibrations | Non-standard calibrations involve detecting and dealing with non-conforming work associated with the testing and/or calibrating of equipment, including but not limited to: common test equipment, such as anemometers, balances, barometers, callipers, environmental chambers, hygrometers, manometers, masses, micrometers, pressure equipment, spectrophotometers, tape measures, rules, temperature (digital) indicating systems, thermometers, thermocouples, timing devices, vibration analysis equipment and weighing instruments electrical reference standards, such as air-lines, analogue meters, attenuators, bridges-manual balance, capacitors, DC voltage references, digital instruments (calibrators, DMMs, electronic transfer standards), inductors, instrument and ratio transformers, instrument transformer test sets, potentiometers, resistors, radio frequency (RF) power meters, RF thermistor mounts and thermal converters, shunts, time interval and frequency standards, transfer standards AC-DC, voltage dividers, volt ratio boxes and watt-hour references working standards, instruments and testing equipment, such as electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) test equipment, field strength meters, flammability test equipment, gauges/test fingers/test pins, hipot testers, impact hammers, impulse testers, instrument calibrators, network analysers, signal generators and spectrum and harmonic analysers |
Hazards | Hazards include, but are not limited to, one or more of: electric shock disturbance or interruption of services manual handling of heavy equipment boxes sources of electromagnetic radiation (lasers and RF generators/transmitters) fluids under pressure heat sources, such as ovens |
Safety procedures | Safety procedures include, but are not limited to, one or more of: ensuring access to service shut-off points use of PPE, such as hearing protection, gloves, safety glasses and coveralls handling and storing hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labels, MSDS, manufacturer's instructions and workplace procedures and regulations regular cleaning of equipment and work areas |
WHS and environmental management requirements | WHS and environmental management requirements include: · complying with WHS and environmental management requirements at all times, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation. These requirements must not be compromised at any time · applying standard precautions relating to the potentially hazardous nature of samples accessing and applying current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health, where relevant |
Sectors
Competency Field
Calibration