Modification History
Not applicable.
Unit Descriptor
Unit descriptor |
This unit of competency covers the ability to select and use appropriate reference standards of measurement in accordance with standard procedures and industry best practice. It also involves storing and transporting reference standards correctly and maintaining their integrity during all trade measurement activities. |
Application of the Unit
Application of the unit |
This unit of competency is applicable to:
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'. |
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not applicable.
Pre-Requisites
Prerequisite units |
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Employability Skills Information
Employability skills |
This unit contains employability skills. |
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency. |
Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Maintain reference standard integrity |
1.1. Identify environmental issues that may impact on reference standard integrity and implement appropriate control strategies 1.2. Store, transport and handle reference standards in accordance with organisational procedures and industry best practice 1.3. Quarantine and report damaged or compromised reference standards in accordance with organisational procedures 1.4. Plan and organise reference standard maintenance and calibration in accordance with legislative requirements and organisational procedures 1.5. Update maintenance and calibration records in accordance with organisational procedures 1.6. Ensure that personnel assisting with the activity use correct handling procedures for reference standards |
2. Select appropriate reference standards |
2.1. Identify the scope and expected outcomes of the planned activity 2.2. Identify and access reference standards appropriate to the activity 2.3. Evaluate reference standard limitations associated with the activity and operating environment 2.4. Validate reference standard suitability against the activity scope and expected outcomes in accordance with legislative requirements and organisational policy and procedures |
3. Use reference standards |
3.1. Review the expected outcomes for the activity 3.2. Access and interpret reference standard Certificates of Verification and measurement reports 3.3. Condition the reference standard as required to produce consistent and accurate measurements 3.4. Identify, interpret and apply reference standard corrections as required 3.5. Assess the results of the activity against the prescribed performance criteria 3.6. Analyse any variances from the expected outcomes to identify any isolated or systemic problems linked to the reference standard or its use |
4. Maintain a safe work environment |
4.1. Use established safe work practices and personal protective equipment to ensure personal safety and that of other personnel 4.2. Identify relevant local workplace, health and safety issues and implement appropriate control strategies 4.3. Handle reference standards safely in accordance with applicable legislation and organisational procedures |
Required Skills and Knowledge
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE |
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit. |
Required skills |
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Required knowledge |
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Evidence Guide
EVIDENCE GUIDE |
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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. |
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Overview of assessment |
Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard using reference standards relevant to job role. |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit |
Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
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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 the following units:
Resources may include:
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Method of assessment |
The following assessment methods are suggested:
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 is allocated a routine inspection of a hardware store. In preparation, the inspector locates the trader's file and notes that the company sells a variety of items by measurement using scales, rulers and volume measures. Using the organisation's checklist for inspecting this type of business, he/she identifies the reference standards and documentation required for the inspection. He/she confirms that the selected reference standards are suitable for the intended purpose, are currently verified and are not damaged before stowing them safely in his/her vehicle for transport to the hardware store. On arrival, the inspector meets the site controller and initiates the inspection in accordance with the organisation's standard procedures. The inspector collects the reference standards, test equipment and documentation from the vehicle. The standards include: masses to test a weighing instrument, a volume measure to test a 5 L measure for selling kerosene, a measure of length to test packages of rope, a density bottle to determine the density of turpentine for checking packages and a thermometer to measure the temperature of the density bottle and make appropriate temperature corrections. Before using the reference standards, the inspector confirms the expected outcomes for each activity, reviews the Certificates of Verification and conditions the volume reference standards as required. After each activity, the inspector assesses the results against the prescribed performance criteria and analyses any variances from the expected outcomes to identify any problems that may be linked to the reference standard or its use. At the end of the visit, the inspector cleans the reference standards, returns them to the vehicle and re-stows them safely to maintain their integrity. On returning to the office, the inspector books the masses into the measurement standards laboratory for calibration as their Certificate of Verification is due to expire in 22 days. A verifier is contacted by a local service station to repair and verify two of their fuel dispensers that had been recently rejected for trade use by an inspector. Before proceeding to the service station, the verifier asks the trader some questions and establishes that one fuel dispenser has a flow rate of <60 L/min and another has a flow rate >60 L/min. The verifier consults the National Test Procedure for fuel dispensers and identifies that he/she needs both a 15 L and 200 L volume reference standard to complete this work. In preparation for the visit, the verifier checks whether the reference standards are suitable, they have a current Verification Certificate and are not damaged. This examination reveals that the Certificate for the 200 L reference standard he/she intends to use has expired. He/she immediately books the measure into the measurement standards laboratory for calibration and arranges for a replacement measure with a current Certificate. Before travelling to the service station, the verifier stores the reference standards in the vehicle in accordance with standard operating procedures. On arrival, the verifier takes the time to introduce him/herself to the site controller, complete a site safety induction and outline a test strategy that is both safe and will cause minimal disruption to the trader. The verifier collects the reference standards, test equipment and documentation from the vehicle. Before using the volume measures, he/she reviews their respective Certificates of Verification and notes that there are different drainage requirements for each measure. After repairing the fuel dispensers, the verifier tests the fuel dispensers in accordance with the appropriate National Test Procedure. He/she makes sure to use the volume reference standards in a manner that is consistent with the requirements set out in the Certificate of Verification and the organisation's procedures to maintain the integrity of the measurements. After completing the repairs and testing, the verifier cleans the reference standards and re-stows them in the vehicle. |
Range Statement
RANGE STATEMENT |
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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. |
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Appropriate documentation |
Where reference is made to documentation, it is expected the latest version will be used. Appropriate documentation may include:
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Legislation |
Legislation may include:
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National Measurement Institute policy |
National Measurement Institute policy may include:
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National Test Procedures |
National Test Procedures may include:
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OHS and environmental management requirements |
OHS and environmental management requirements refer to:
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Operating environmental impacts |
Operating environmental impacts may include:
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Records |
Records may include:
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Unit Sector(s)
Unit sector |
Trade Measurement |
Competency field
Competency field |
Co-requisite units
Co-requisite units |
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