Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge to create or modify calibration procedures in response to the introduction of alternative/new equipment, changing test circumstances, activities involved in research and development trials or to meet client needs. The unit covers research of current calibration procedures and technology, development or modification of a procedure, its subsequent trialling and confirmation that it is fit for purpose. This unit of competency does not cover the ability to create or edit software controlled calibration procedures as this is covered in another unit of competency.
This unit applies to calibration technicians/specialists who carry out test and/or calibrations in first, second and third party laboratories, and laboratories where testing and/or calibration forms part of inspection or product certification. It covers the work of only those personnel who are authorised by their laboratory to create or modify calibration procedures. They work with limited guidance and results of their work are checked by the laboratory manager, quality inspector or designated signatory.
No licensing or certification requirements exist at the time of publication. However, regulations and/or external accreditation requirements for laboratory operations exist, so local requirements should be checked. Relevant legislation, industry standards and codes of practice within Australia must also be applied.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Assess the suitability of available calibration procedures | 1.1 | Confirm that the authorised calibration procedure is not appropriate for intended use or requires modification |
1.2 | Research suitable alternative established calibration procedures | ||
1.3 | Establish whether an available procedure can be customised or if a new procedure is needed | ||
1.4 | Obtain internal approval to develop or modify a calibration procedure | ||
1.5 | Confirm that available resources meet all the requirements of the alternative or new procedure | ||
1.6 | Gain authorisation for any deviation from requirements previously agreed with client | ||
2 | Develop procedure | 2.1 | Identify and document all relevant calibration data to be collected, including parameters and ranges to be tested |
2.2 | Describe all new instructions or modifications to methods to ensure repeatability of test | ||
2.3 | Document all hazards and safety measures to be observed | ||
2.4 | Specify data to be recorded and produce a results template | ||
2.5 | List the requirements for calibration approval and rejection | ||
2.6 | Confirm that all calibration requirements can be fulfilled by using the procedure | ||
3 | Prepare equipment for testing | 3.1 | Use the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), safety equipment and procedures |
3.2 | Assemble and set up reference standards and associated equipment prior to testing | ||
3.3 | Verify performance of reference standards and measuring equipment prior to use and adjust or calibrate as necessary | ||
3.4 | Identify and minimise potential sources of measurement error | ||
4 | Trial modified or new calibration procedure | 4.1 | Perform individual steps and confirm they are adequately documented to ensure repeatability of measurement |
4.2 | Critically analyse readings to confirm they are the result of a valid measurement and record data as required | ||
4.3 | Adjust device under test to bring readings within tolerance and record results | ||
4.4 | Analyse the resulting test data to detect trends or inconsistencies that may significantly affect the accuracy or validity of test results | ||
5 | Confirm the modified or new procedure is fit for purpose | 5.1 | Compare results achieved with those from other calibration procedures |
5.2 | Systematically analyse all measurement and environmental factors that may influence the result and take corrective action as required | ||
5.3 | Arrange for internal peer checking of calibration procedure, data and results and incorporate feedback | ||
5.4 | Quantify the uncertainties of results obtained by analysing equipment specifications and test methodology | ||
5.5 | Confirm that the modified or new procedure is fit for purpose and relevant to the client's needs and document as necessary | ||
6 | Document and review modified or new calibration procedure | 6.1 | Ensure that the procedure is written in accordance with workplace procedures or statutory and regulatory requirements |
6.2 | Ensure that the procedure has been reviewed in accordance with workplace procedures | ||
6.3 | Report and present the procedure to appropriate personnel for validation before use | ||
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.
Writing skills to produce calibration procedures using an unambiguous, logical sequence of instructions that meet statutory and regulatory requirements, and workplace procedures.
Oral communication skills to liaise with peers and technical staff from other laboratories to clarify and validate test methods
Numeracy skills to estimate measurement uncertainty and applying statistical techniques for analysing test and/or calibration data
Other foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit.
Competency Field
Calibration