Required skills

diagnosing faults in weighing instruments

installing and repairing weighing instruments with a basic design

accessing interpreting and applying a range of documents for the verification of weighing instruments including

national measurement legislation

routine National Test Procedures

Certificates of Approval

National Measurement Institute verification policy

national and international design rules

pattern approval documents

accessing and interpreting Certificates of Verification for a limited range of reference standards

performing verifications over durations of up to one day in routine environments

using advanced communication and negotiation skills to

explain the purpose of verification

inform traders of noncompliances and consequences of failing to rectify them

explain verification procedures and outcomes to traders and managers

accessing transporting setting up validating using and maintaining a limited 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

planning routine tasks

developingimplementing an efficient verification 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 routineexpected problems

working safely which may include applying basic first aid confined space entry and working with heavy machinery

Required knowledge

design major components and functions for weighing instruments

licensing requirements for a verifier including

quality management system

licence conditions

maintenance of statutory records

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 preparationmeasurement 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 verification 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 one 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

install and repair weighing instruments to meet statutory requirements

evaluate and adjust the impact of the operating environment on the performance of the instrument

analyse test results to determine the instruments suitability for verification trade use

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

MSATMREFA Use and maintain reference standards

MSATMREF301A Use and maintain reference standards.

Resources may include

limited weighing instruments test equipment and reference standards

computer and relevant software andor 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 and remedial actions

review of verification reports prepared by the candidate

feedback from supervisors and peers regarding the candidates ability to verify the performance of weighing instruments in accordance with legislative and organisational 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 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

A retail butcher uses a digital weighing instrument to sell meat with a gross retail cost of annually and where the price per kilogram ranges from kg to kg As the profit margin of the butchers business depends on the product received and sold the butcher contracts a scale repair company to test his buying and selling scales for accuracyThe scale repairer arrives at the butchers premises with a trolley load of equipment After their introductions the butcher enquires as to what all the gear on the trolley is for The repairer explains that it is all part of the equipment needed to satisfy the licensing requirements of national Trade Measurement

The repairer advises that for this job he needs masses which have a suitable capacity and accuracy for the scale that have been tested and are still within their expiry period Not only does he need kg for the capacity of the instrument but also smaller masses down to g to test the scale correctly according to the National Test Procedures that he has brought with him To keep up to date with new scales he also has a laptop with internet access to download the latest Certificate of Approval for the instrument from the National Measurement Institute website Regardless of how accurate the scale is it cant be used for trade ie buying or selling unless it is approved for trade use by the National Measurement Institute He also has the paper work required by national Trade Measurement to issue depending on whether the instrument complies and can be certified or not Finally he explains that he has tools in case the scales need adjustment if they are outside the maximum permissible errors set down by the National Measurement Institute

The scale repairer inspects the scales for compliance with the Certificates of Approval and tests them He finds the selling scale is approved for trade use but is incorrect and the buying scale while weighing correctly is not approvedThe repairer fixes the selling scale marks it with a certification mark and issues a certification form The buyingscale cannot be certified because it is not an approved type and the repairer issues a notice of noncompliance advising the butcher that it can no longer be used for trade Before leaving the butcher shop the repairer completes his paper work and submits it to national Trade Measurement within the specified days

Prescribed performance criteria for instruments

Appropriate documentation

Certificates of Approval

Test equipment

Legislation

National Measurement Institute policy

National Test Procedures for weighing instruments

OHS and environmental management requirements

Operating environmental impacts

Records

Weighing instruments