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 and legislation
Appropriate documentation
Where reference is made to documentation, it is expected the latest version will be used.
Appropriate documentation may include:
reference standards
Certificates of Verification
Certificates of Approval for complex instruments
test procedures for verifying complex instruments
organisational test reports
organisational procedures e.g. company quality assurance manual
National Measurement Act
occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations, guidelines and procedures material data safety sheets
equipment manuals and warranty, supplier catalogues and handbooks
Certificates of Approval
Certificates of Approval may include:
any Certificate issued under the National Measurement Regulations approving the pattern of a complex 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 such as weighing instruments, pumping units, control instruments, two way communication, hoses, fittings, rail wagons, trains and tankers
LPG cylinders
Legislation may include
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 complex instruments
National Test Procedures for complex instruments may include:
non-automatic weighing machines >3 tonne
LPG dispensers
bulk LPG flowmetering systems
flowmetering systems tested using the master meter or gravimetric methods
automatic rail weighbridges
continuous totalising automatic weighing instruments (belt weighers)
totalising hopper weighing instruments
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 OHS 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
wind
heat
dust
electromagnetic interference
out of level
Specified calculations
Specified calculations may include:
calculations involving fractions, decimals, ratios, proportions and percentages
evaluation of formulae containing powers, exponents and logarithms functions
use of scientific notation, correct units and correct number of significant figures
calculation of uncertainties
preparation and interpretation of linear, semi-log and log-log graphs
calculation and interpretation of statistical quantities, such as mean, median, mode, range, variance and standard deviation
determination of regression line equations and correlation coefficients
preparation and interpretation of more complex control charts and frequency distribution plots
Records
Records may include:
test reports
safety procedures
a history of equipment calibration and test results
Complex instruments
Inspectors may be required to test and mark any of the classes of instruments from the following list.
Complex instruments may include:
non-automatic weighing machines >3 tonne
LPG dispensers
LPG bulk flowmetering systems
flowmetering systems tested using master meter or gravimetric methods
automatic rail weighbridges
continuous totalising automatic weighing instruments (belt weighers)
totalising hoppers weighing instruments
any other complex measuring instrument prescribed by the National Measurement Institute

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 complex 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
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 complex 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:
access to a complex instrument, test equipment and reference standards
computer and relevant software and/or organisation information management system
Certificates of Approval for the instrument
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 inspect 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 given the task of inspecting a bulk flowmetering system at an oil company distribution terminal. In preparation, the inspector evaluates the instrument nominated for inspection, identifies and accesses appropriate documentation for the inspection, identifies and accesses equipment, evaluates previous inspection data and develops an inspection strategy.The inspector visits the terminal to discuss the proposed inspection strategy with the site controller. During this discussion, the inspector discovers that access to the instrument has been restricted and modifications will have to be made to the area surrounding the instrument. The site controller engages a contractor to make the necessary modifications and agrees on an inspection strategy that will minimise disruption to terminal operations.
On completion of the modifications, the inspector returns to the terminal to inspect the bulk flowmetering system. The site controller has arranged for all the resources identified at the inspection strategy meeting to be available. Prior to commencing any testing, the inspector holds a meeting with all personnel involved in the inspection and describes the inspection strategy. A fitter who will be operating the instrument identifies a problem and offers a solution. The inspector agrees and adjusts the inspection strategy accordingly.At the completion of the testing, the inspector uses the recorded data in combination with a variety of data derived from correction tables and complex mathematical formulae to determine performance result for the instrument.These results confirm the instrument's performance is outside the acceptable maximum permissible errors. The inspector informs the site controller of the outcome and issues a formal warning explaining that the instrument cannot be used for trade until it has been corrected and verified by a licensed verifier.During a follow up visit, the inspector confirms the instrument has been repaired and verifies it.