This unit of competency covers the ability to apply National Instrument Test Procedures to determine whether a range of simple measuring instruments are suitable for trade use. The unit also involves auditing the performance of verifiers who have previously tested and verified simple measuring instruments as meeting the legislative requirements for trade use.

This unit of competency is applicable to trade measurement inspectors appointed under national measurement legislation who may inspect a wide range of simple measuring instruments as part of their allocated duties. Simple measuring instruments are used in a very wide range of commerce. Measuring instruments are used to measure liquids in tanks; multi-dimensional measuring instruments are used to measure the cubic measurements of packages for freight; length/area instruments are used to measure a wide range of articles sold by reference to those measurements; quality measuring instruments are used to measure certain characteristics of commodities such as protein content of grain; and point of sale systems (POS systems) and control systems for liquid-measuring instruments (Consoles) are systems connected to approved measuring instruments that are used to transform or supplement displayed and/or printed measurement data and/or control certain functions of the connected instrument.

While no specific licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication, all inspection activity is legislated under the National Measurement Act 1960.

Evidence of competence in this unit must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include demonstration of:

completing initial verification testing for at least three (3) classes of instruments.

accessing and correctly interpreting documentation required for inspections, evaluation of measuring instruments and verifier audits

ensuring test equipment, reference standards or reference materials are fit for purpose in accordance with applicable legislation and organisational procedures

planning, preparing for, and safely conducting inspections to maximise outcomes and minimise disruption to the public and trader

checking compliance and evaluating the performance of instruments using appropriate Certificate of Approval, National Measurement Institute (NMI) policy and National Instrument Test Procedures, and adjusting for any impact of the operating environment

reliably determining if instruments are suitable for trade use in accordance with legislative requirements

conducting at least two (2) verifier instrument audits to assess the performance of verifiers who test and mark simple measuring instruments for trade use

assessing verifier performance against expected outcomes and analysing any variances to identify isolated or systemic problems

identifying potential non-compliance of trading practices (applicable to the instrument) with national measurement legislation and initiating an efficient inspection strategy that has a limited impact on others

acting on non-compliance of instrument or verifier performance and/or trading practices with national measurement legislation and initiating appropriate enforcement action

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

using routine communication and negotiation skills to:

explain the purpose of inspection

inform traders of non-compliances and consequences of failing to rectify them

explain procedures and inspection outcomes to traders, verifiers and managers

using numeric skills to:

perform specified calculations involving fractions, decimals, ratios, proportions and percentages

use correct units and the correct number of significant figures

analyse performance results over a single or limited range of operating conditions

maintaining the security and confidentiality of data in accordance with organisational and regulatory requirements

reporting results in the required formats and expected timeframe

working safely.

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

general science principles and concepts, such as weight, mass, gravity, density, buoyancy, temperature and coefficients of expansion

metrological terms and terminology specific to simple measuring instruments, such as maximum permissible errors and traceability

national measurement legislation requirements for simple measuring instruments

safe work method statements (SWMS) and safe operating procedures (SOPS) for a range of trading environments, such as laboratories, retail, industrial and farming

NMI policy requirements, including test procedure variations between a verification, in-service or audit inspection, bulletins, directives, instructions and determinations

National Instrument Test Procedures and operating procedures for equipment,certified reference materials and reference standards used in job role, including:

test conditions and possible environmental impacts on performance of the instrument

key preparation/measurement steps in the test method

calculation steps to give results in appropriate units and precision

maximum permissible errors for simple measuring instruments under inspection

organisational policy and procedures for inspecting simple measuring instruments, including completing inspection documentation

organisational safety procedures and requirements of applicable Commonwealth, state and territory work/occupational health and safety (WHS/OHS) legislation

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 should 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:

MSMTMREF301 Use and maintain reference standards

MSMTMINS301 Inspect a range of simple measures.

Holistic assessment methods include:

review of inspection reports and verifier performance audit reports prepared by the candidate

feedback from supervisors and peers regarding the candidate's ability to conduct inspections, evaluate the performance of simple measuring instruments and audit verifier’s performance in accordance with legislative and organisational procedures

questions to assess understanding of relevant procedures, licensing requirements, trader obligations and remedial actions

review of candidate’s responses to inspection scenarios, such as potential/actual non-compliances and appropriate actions, common issues and problems

observation of the candidate conducting an inspection.

Access is required to instruments, equipment, materials, workplace documentation, procedures, and specifications associated with this unit including, but not limited to:

latest versions of appropriate documentation, such as Certificates of Verification and Approval, NMI Policy, National Instrument Test Procedures for verifying simple measuring instruments and relevant legislation

equipment manuals, safety data sheets (SDS) and safety procedures

records, such as test reports, audit reports, instrument history and test results

simple measuring instruments, test equipment, reference standards and material

computer and relevant software and/or organisation information management system.

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 competency and currency.

Technical competence can be demonstrated through:

relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment AND/OR

relevant workplace experience in trade measurement at least to the level being assessed and broad industry knowledge (such as a relevant industry qualification).

Currency can be demonstrated through:

performing the competency being assessed as part of current employment in trade measurement OR

having consulted with trade measurement inspectors and/or verifiers performing the competency being assessed within the last twelve months.

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.

Trade measurement