Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
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.
Prescribed performance criteria for instruments
Prescribed performance criteria for instruments may include:
design is in accordance with the appropriate Certificates of Approval
performance meets the criteria described in the Certificates of Approval, National Test Procedure, legislation and National Measurement Institute policy
Appropriate documentation

Where reference is made to documentation, it is expected the latest version will be used.
Appropriate documentation may include:
Certificates of Verification
Certificates of Approval for simple measuring instruments
test procedures for verifying simple measuring instruments
organisational test reports
organisational procedures
National Measurement Act
occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations, guidelines and procedures and material safety data sheets (MSDS)
equipment manuals and warranty, supplier catalogues and handbooks
National Measurement Institute policy
Australian Standards
Certificates of Approval
Certificates of Approval may include:
the Certificate issued under national measurement legislation approving the pattern of a simple measuring instrument as being suitable for trade
Enforcement action
Enforcement action may include:
formal warnings
infringement notice
formal undertaking
injunction
prosecution
Test equipment
Test equipment may include:
reference standards of measurement
equipment other than reference standards of measurement e.g. weighing instrument, funnels, manifolds, hoses, water meters, roman levels, tramells and beakers
Legislation
Legislation may include:
national measurement legislation
applicable Commonwealth, state and territory OHS legislation
National Measurement Institute policy
National Measurement Institute policy may include:
test procedure variations between a verification, in-service or audit inspection
bulletin
instruction
determination
National Test Procedures for simple measuring instruments
National Test Procedures for simple measuring instruments may include those for:
beverage measuring instruments
protein measuring instruments
length measuring instruments
area measuring instruments
dimensional measuring instruments
vehicle tanks
milk tanks
any other test procedure prescribed by the National Measurement Institute
OHS and environmental management requirements
OHS and environmental management requirements refer to:
all operations must comply with enterprise occupational health safety and environmental management requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or Federal legislation. These requirements must not be compromised at any time
all operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied
where relevant, users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council and State and Territory Departments of Health
Operating environmental impacts
Operating environmental impacts may include:
vibration
humidity
temperature
dust
electromagnetic interference
out of level
Records
Records may include:
test reports
audit reports
safety procedures
a history of equipment calibration and test results
Simple measuring instruments

Inspectors may be required to test and mark any of the classes of instruments from the following list.
Simple measuring instruments may include:
beverage measuring instruments
protein measuring instruments
length measuring instruments
area measuring instruments
dimensional measuring instruments
vehicle tanks
milk tanks
any other instrument prescribed by the National Measurement Institute
Trading practices
Trading practices may include:
methods used for the sale of goods
advertising
using measuring instruments
position of measuring instruments
environmental factors
suitability of instrument
over-pricing
incorrect measurement
Verification
Verification refers to:
the inspection of an instrument for the purpose of determining if the instrument meets the legislative requirements for trade use

EVIDENCE GUIDE
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 any class of simple measuring instruments 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
evaluate and adjust the impact of the operating environment on the performance of the instrument
analyse test results to determine the instrument's suitability for verification (trade use)
identify the scope of a verifier performance audit and assess results with expected outcomes
audit the performance of verifiers of simple measuring instruments
identify and implement additional inspection strategies for non-instrument related breaches of national measurement legislation
recognise and act on non-compliance
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:
MSATMREF301A Use and maintain reference standards.
Resources may include:
simple measuring instruments, test equipment and reference standards
computer and relevant software and/or 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, licensing requirements, trader obligations and remedial actions
review of inspection reports and verifier performance audit reports prepared by the candidate
feedback from supervisors and peers regarding the candidate's ability to verify the performance of instruments in accordance with legislative and organisational procedures
observation of the candidate conducting an inspection.
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 has been allocated the task of verifying an area measuring instrument at a tannery. In preparation for his/her visit, the inspector accesses the organisation's database to establish the instrument type, site contact details and any previous history for the instrument or trader. The inspector assembles the test equipment required for the inspection. All reference standards are inspected for damage and validity against their certificate prior to them being stowed with the other equipment safely in the vehicle. On arrival at the tannery, the inspector introduces him/herself to the manager and explains the purpose of the visit and the process involved. During this discussion, the inspector explains that he/she will inspect the area measuring instrument for compliance with its Certificate of Approval, assess the operating environment for factors that may impact on its performance and conduct visual and performance tests in accordance with the National Test Procedure. If the instrument complies with these requirements it will be marked as being acceptable for trade use. During the subsequent inspection, the area instrument is found to have a capacity greater than what is stated in the Certificate of Approval and the instrument's performance exceeds the maximum permissible error stated in the national measurement regulations. Consequently, the inspector removes the previous verification mark from the instrument and issues the trader with a warning that the instrument cannot be used for trade until it has been corrected and verified again. Before leaving the premises, the inspector provides the trader with some options for rectifying the non-compliances and gives the manager an opportunity to ask any questions about trade measurement activities.