Modification History
Not applicable.
Unit Descriptor
Unit descriptor |
This unit of competency covers the ability to apply National Test Procedures to determine whether a non-automatic weighing instrument (<3 tonne) or catchweigher is suitable for trade and then mark it accordingly. It also involves the installation and/or repair of weighing instruments. |
Application of the Unit
Application of the unit |
This unit of competency is applicable to verifiers who operate under a licence to test and mark specific classes of weighing instruments. They may also undertake sales, installation and/or repair of a limited class of weighing instruments. Weighing instruments are used in a very wide range of commerce. For example, electronic weighing instruments are used to measure a wide range of products at the point of sale, as an order or as a pre-packaged article. The range of environments where these instruments is almost limitless. Some examples of these environments includes pharmaceutical laboratories, supermarkets, fresh food retailers, packing houses, chemical/petroleum industry, contruction, mining and other extractive industry sectors. 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. Install and repair weighing instruments |
1.1. Access and correctly interpret information for installing or repairing instruments 1.2. Select required components, tools and equipment in accordance with manufacturer/component supplier specifications 1.3. Perform installation or repair in accordance with legislation, industry codes of practice and organisational guidelines 1.4. Avoid instrument damage during installation or repair |
2. Prepare for verification |
2.1. Identify and evaluate the type of instrument to be verified 2.2. Access and correctly interpret documentation required for the verification 2.3. Identify and access test equipment, products and consumables required for the verification 2.4. Liaise with the trader to provide the items required on site 2.5. Ensure specified test equipment is fit for purpose in accordance with applicable legislation and organisational procedures 2.6. Store and transport test equipment in accordance with organisational procedures and industry best practice 2.7. Identify relevant local workplace health and safety issues and implement appropriate control strategies |
3. Evaluate weighing instrument performance |
3.1. Evaluate whether the operating environment will impact on the instrument performance 3.2. Modify the operating environment or implement alternative arrangements to ensure reliable test conditions as necessary 3.3. Identify the maximum permissible errors for the instrument from the legislative requirements 3.4. Use test equipment safely in accordance with applicable legislation and organisational procedures 3.5. Check instrument for compliance with the appropriate Certificates of Approval 3.6. Inspect the instrument in accordance with relevant National Test Procedure and appropriate National Measurement Institute policy 3.7. Evaluate results against prescribed performance criteria and determine if the instrument is suitable for trade use in accordance with legislative requirements |
4. Report verification results |
4.1. Display the verification result on the instrument in accordance with legislative requirements 4.2. Use test reports to present verification results in the required format 4.3. Complete verification documentation in accordance with legislative requirements and organisational procedures 4.4. Communicate results within the specified time and in accordance with organisational guidelines |
5. Model and encourage compliance with statutory requirements |
5.1. Apply organisation's procedures and practices to meet licensing authority's requirements 5.2. Clarify any issues about licensing requirements with the licensing authority as they arise 5.3. Review work and seek feedback from others to confirm continuing compliance with licensing requirements 5.4. Identify implications of non-compliance with licensing requirements 5.5. Identify inadequacies in trader's procedures and practices which may contribute to non-compliance with licensing requirements and/or national measurement legislation 5.6. Explain inadequacies and possible remedial actions to trader |
6. Maintain statutory records |
6.1. Keep accurate and complete records in accordance with licensing requirements 6.2. Ensure authorisation, training and relevant licences are current in accordance with organisational and licensing requirements 6.3. Inform the licensing administering authority of changes to personal information as required by statute |
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 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:
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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:
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. A retail butcher uses a digital weighing instrument to sell meat with a gross retail cost of $500,000 annually and where the price per kilogram ranges from 5.99/kg to $68/kg. As the profit margin of the butcher's business depends on the product received and sold, the butcher contracts a scale repair company to test his buying and selling scales for accuracy.The scale repairer arrives at the butcher's 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 15kg for the capacity of the instrument but also smaller masses down to 0.2g 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 can't be used for trade (i.e. 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 approved.The 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 non-compliance 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 14 days. |
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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Prescribed performance criteria for instruments |
Prescribed performance criteria for instruments may include:
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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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Certificates of Approval |
Certificates of Approval may include:
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Test equipment |
Test equipment 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 for weighing instruments |
National Test Procedures for weighing instruments may include those for:
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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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Weighing instruments |
Verifiers may be licensed to test and mark specific classes of instruments from the following list. Weighing instruments 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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