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 and material safety data sheets (MSDS)
equipment manuals and warranty, supplier catalogues and handbooks
Certificates of Approval
Certificates of Approval may include:
any Certificate issued by the Chief Metrologist under Regulation 60 of the National Measurement Regulations approving the pattern of a complex instrument as being suitable for trade
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
Legislation may include:
national measurement legislation
applicable Commonwealth, state and territory OHS legislation
National Measurement Institute policy
National Measurement Institute policy may include:
accepted test procedure variations
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
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 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
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
Verifiers may be licensed to test and mark specific 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 one 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
install and repair measuring instruments to meet statutory requirements
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)
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 complexmeasuring 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 complex test procedures and remedial actions
review of verification 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.
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 licensed verifier has been engaged by a large coal mine to verify a new belt weigher installation for trade use. In preparation, the verifier visits the site and considers how to complete the verification. He/she visually inspects the belt weigher and is satisfied that it complies with the Certificate of Approval. However, he/she determines that the 30 tonne hopper weigher which has been installed as a control instrument for the sole purpose of testing the belt weigher cannot be tested with 1 tonne masses due to access restrictions. The verifier discusses these issues with the local trade measurement inspector who offers two solutions. The inspector suggests testing the restricted access hopper weigher with 20 kg masses using the substitution method to reduce the number of test masses required or negotiating with the coal washing facility next door to use their 60 tonne weighbridge as the control instrument. The verifier considers the options and decides in the interests of workplace health and safety that the best option is to use the weighbridge next door. After considerable negotiation with the weighbridge owner, arrangements are made to test the weighbridge and make it available for the belt weigher test on Monday and Tuesday of the following week. The trader organises to have 5000 tonnes of coal, a front end loader and three transfer vehicles available for the test. The verifier arranges with another organisation to have 20 tonnes of certified test masses delivered to the coal wash facility on Monday so he/she can test the weighbridge. On Monday, the verifier tests the weighbridge in accordance with the national uniform test procedures and confirms that it is suitable for use as the control instrument. Testing of the belt weigher commences in accordance with the national uniform test procedure and progresses well on the Monday. On Tuesday, the verifier arrives on site to find the tail drum on the conveyor belt has seized making it impossible to continue testing. As these repairs will take two days to repair, the test is terminated and rescheduled with all parties to be in two weeks. Two weeks later the weighbridge is again retested and found to be suitable as a control instrument. The belt weigher is tested fully in accordance with the National Test Procedures and found to be correct. The verifier marks the belt weigher with a verification mark, completes all the paper work including test reports and submits them to national Trade Measurement with 14 days.