Sub-Field:Public Sector Services

20362

15-Oct-1210-Oct-12

1 of 6

level:6

credit:18

planned review date:December 2006

sub-field:Public Sector Services

purpose:People credited with this unit standard are able to: explain the purpose of standards of mass in relation to legal metrology; identify and outline the legislation covering standards of mass; outline the metrological characteristics of standards of mass; explain and demonstrate care and storage of standards of mass and calibration equipment; demonstrate the calibration procedures for the calibration equipment; demonstrate the calibration procedures for a standard of mass to mpe; and demonstrate the calibration procedures for determining the actual value of a standard of mass.

entry information:Open.

accreditation option:Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and industry.

moderation option:A centrally established and directed national moderation system has been set up by The Skills Organisation.

special notes:1This unit standard is intended for people who are employed in the New Zealand public sector in the role of Inspector of Weights and Measures. The content is based on the Weights and Measures Act 1987 and the Weights and Measures Regulations 1999 and their subsequent amendments, and on the Ministry of Consumer Affairs Measurement and Product Safety Service ISO 17025 Quality Management System (restricted to Ministry of Consumer Affairs) and OIML recommendation 111 (available from

2Definitions

International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML) is based in Paris and is an organisation made up of member states. New Zealand is a member state. OIML makes recommendations covering aspects of legal metrology.

Legal Metrology is part of metrology relating to activities that result from statutory requirements and concern measurements.

Mass is the amount of matter in a body.

Maximum permissible error (mpe) is the extreme value of an error permitted by the mandatory requirements.

Metrology is the science of measurement.

Organisation in the context of this unit standard is the Ministry of Consumer Affairs Measurement and Product Safety Service.

Organisational requirements in the context of this unit standard includes policy and procedures of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs Measurement and Product Safety Service.

Public Sector covers all publicly owned organisations which are connected to the institution of New Zealand government, both central and local, and which include public service, crown entities, non-uniformed staffs of the services and forces, offices of Parliament, and local authorities.

Public Service is part of the State sector, and consists of all the ministries and departments of state which carry out core government business which are listed in the First Schedule of the State Sector Act 1988.

State Sector applies to all national institutions of central government.

Standard means a physical representation of any standard of measurement.

Uncertainty is a measure of the precision by which a value is known. The amount by which a true value may differ from a measured value at a given confidence level.

Weight is a material measure of mass.

Elements and Performance Criteria

element 1

Explain the purpose of standards of mass in relation to legal metrology.

performance criteria

1.1The hierarchy of standards of mass are identified and the reason for the different levels are explained.

1.2Classes of standards are clearly identified and their use is explained.

1.3The underlying principles of mass are explained.

element 2

Identify and outline the legislation covering standards of mass.

performance criteria

2.1Relevant sections of the Weights and Measures Act 1987 and Weights and Measures Regulations 1999 are outlined.

element 3

Outline the metrological characteristics of standards of mass.

performance criteria

3.1The metrological requirements for standards of mass are outlined.

Range:evidence must include – accuracy class, maximum permissible errors (mpe), actual value, uncertainty of measurement.

3.2The metrological characteristics of standards of mass are outlined.

Range:must include – shape, construction, material, surface conditions, adjustment, marking, presentation.

element 4

Explain and demonstrate care and storage of standards of mass and calibration equipment.

performance criteria

4.1The purpose and function of the standards laboratory are explained.

4.2The cleaning and adjustment of specific standards of mass are explained and demonstrated.

4.3Non-conforming standards and equipment are identified.

4.4The safe handling and storage of standards of mass and calibration equipment are explained and demonstrated.

Range:evidence must include – personal safety, protection of standards of mass, accuracy, custody.

4.5The method of use does not degrade the mass comparator’s accuracy.

element 5

Demonstrate the calibration procedures for the calibration equipment.

performance criteria

5.1The mass comparators are tested in accordance with organisational requirements.

5.2The best measurement capabilities of the comparator are determined.

5.3The results are recorded and filed in accordance with organisational requirements.

5.4The thermometer is tested in accordance with organisational requirements.

element 6

Demonstrate the calibration procedures for a standard of mass to mpe.

performance criteria

6.1Client’s authority to adjust the standard of mass is obtained.

6.2The standard of mass is tested for mpe in accordance with organisational requirements.

6.3Metrological requirements and physical characteristics are identified.

6.4The standard of mass is adjusted in accordance with organisational requirements.

6.5Standards of mass are handled in accordance with organisational requirements.

6.6Testing results are recorded in accordance with organisational requirements.

6.7The standard of mass is verified or failed in accordance with organisational requirements.

6.8Complying standards of mass are marked with the mark of verification where appropriate.

6.9All documentation is completed in accordance with organisational requirements.

Range:may include but is not limited to – coversheet, worksheets, spreadsheets, verification report, fee docket.

element 7

Demonstrate the calibration procedures for determining the actual value of a standard of mass.

performance criteria

7.1The standard of mass is tested for actual value in accordance with organisational requirements.

7.2Metrological requirements and physical characteristics are identified.

7.3The uncertainty of measurement is determined in accordance with organisational requirements.

7.4Standards of mass are handled safely in accordance with organisational requirements.

7.5Testing results are recorded in accordance with organisational requirements.

7.6Complying measures are marked with the mark of verification where appropriate.

7.7All documentation is completed in accordance with organisational requirements.

Range:may include but is not limited to – coversheet, worksheets, spreadsheets, verification/calibration report, fee docket.

Comments on this unit standard

Please contact The Skills Organisation if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.

Please Note

Providers must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority or a delegated inter-institutional body before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.

Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.

Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.

Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for providers wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.

This unit standard is covered by AMAP 0121 which can be accessed at

 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2019