Weights and Measurements Inspector - Career Advice - Government and Defence

Menu

Weighbridge Operator

Weights and measures inspectors carry out checks to ensure that advertised or specified measurements are accurate. Future Growth Static Trade measurement officers monitor the marketplace with respect to goods sold by measure to ensure the accuracy of claimed or advertised measurements.

Typical transactions using measurement include fuel purchased for motor vehicles and goods purchased by weight in supermarkets.

ANZSCO ID: 599599

Alternative names: Trade Measurement Officer

Specialisations:

Knowledge, skills and attributes

To become a weights & measures inspector, you would need:

to enjoy technical work
excellent numeracy and calculation skills
accuracy and attention to detail
clear written and oral communication
knowledge of trade measurement law

To apply to be a weights & measures inspector you must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

Inspection
(Source: Industry.gov.au)

Duties and Tasks

As a weights & measures inspector, you would:

test and re-calibrate weighing and measuring equipment to ensure accuracy to national measurement standards
perform checks on goods sold by weight or measure for exactness
investigate products that fall short of required weights or measures
apply the trade measurement law and investigate any fraud and prosecute if necessary
initiate legal enforcement action through the court system
prepare briefs of evidence and instruct legal staff in the conduct of enforcement actions in the courts
provide advice and deliver education and promotion programmes to traders and licensed repairers on trade measurement law.

Working Conditions

As a Weights & Measures Inspector you would work a standard number of hours per week, with necessary overtime or weekend work when necessary.

You would be based in an office but spend time visiting service stations, licensed premises, stores, supermarkets, factories and warehouses.

You are required to have a current drivers' licence.

Education and training/entrance requirements

No formal qualifications are required to become a weights & measures inspector, but completion of your senior secondary school certificate or a trade qualification would be an advantage.

Candidates must apply to the National Measurement Institute, which would assess your suitability. If successful, you would undertake both formal and informal training on the job. Once training is completed you would be awarded VET qualifications in Government (Trade Measurement) and Government (Investigation).

A medical examination may be required as part of your application process.

Additional Information

Trade measurement officers are required to hold a drivers licence.

You may need to pass a medical examination as part of the application process.

Employment Opportunities

Trade measurement officers are employed by the National Measurement Institute, a Division of the Australian Government Department of Industry.

Did You Know?

Weigh-in-motion weighbridges typically consist of a platform—measuring 730mm by 3,000mm—supported by four loadcells. A WIM system when correctly installed and calibrated will achieve +/- 2% accuracy per axle group. Much like a static axle weigher, the accuracy and reliability of a WIM system is highly dependent upon a level approach and departure, and vehicle behaviour. The level needs to be flat and consistent for a full truck length before and after the weigh platform. Our reliable, robust weigh-in-motion systems can capture the weight of any vehicle up to 40,000kg per axle.

Weigh-in-motion systems are ideal for use in heavily congested sites, like freight terminals and shipping ports, where vehicles must be weighed to ensure compliance with legal weight limits.
(Source: Diverseco)

Weighbridge Operators operate weighing plants and issue measurement tickets which provide readings of vehicle and livestock weight. Future Growth Static

A weighbridge determines the mass of a vehicle, including the prime mover and any connected trailers. A public weighbridge is open for use by the public, generally for a charge.

ANZSCO ID: 712922

Alternative names: Weighbridge Clerk,

Specialisations: Licensed Weigher

Knowledge, skills and attributes

Safety focused
Ability to work a continuous shift roster
Exceptional organisation and time management skills
Ability to work well under pressure
Have a friendly and bright manner and a can-do attitude
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Self-motivated
Ability to work in a team environment
Basic computer skills required to use computer based control system
Ability to train other personnel

If you are a public weighbridge licensee, you must:

follow the requirements of operating a weighbridge used for trade
ensure at least one of your operators holds a statement of attainment for weighbridge operations
let the National Measurement Institute (NMI) know when an operator or contractor starts or ceases employment and provide their personal details.

Weighbridge Operator
(Source: Your Career)

Duties and Tasks

To ensure the smooth operation of the Weighbridge facility and act as point of contact for customers. Responsible for ensuring that all legal obligations and regulations are met.

Direct traffic coming onto site and operate weighbridge.
Weigh vehicles and load and issue measurement tickets
Check incoming loads, ensuring compliance with site licence
Accurately record weights & waste type by vehicle, completing appropriate documentation and collect driver signatures etc.
Process delivery notes and tickets accurately and efficiently
Report any anomalies/errors to the weighbridge system to the appropriate people immediately.
Ensure that the waste yardage report is correct and charges are correct.
Maintain relationships and deal with queries from customers and site visitors
Ensure weighbridge customers are aware of site rules and distribute information and guidance accordingly.
Ensure that vehicles delivering to site have the correct paperwork
Ensure that vehicles have the necessary paperwork for forward movements from the site to destination.
Compile compliance reports for materials in and out of the site.
Ensure that the site diary for materials is kept up to date.
Assist with general administrative duties and customer service, answering the telephone and directing calls as appropriate.
Comply with all Health, Safety, HR and Environmental policies and procedures
Maintains plant

Working conditions

It is a fast paced, high demanding environment & requires extreme attention to detail.

Most Weighbridge Operators work in:

Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services
Scrap metal
Manufacturing
Mining
Public Administration and Safety
Agribusiness

The hours of work will be 7am to 3:30pm + OT (start time may vary for training purposes to begin with). Job security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good. Work to strict deadlines.

In this role, you will operate the computerised weighbridge, collect tipping fees, monitor waste [or scrap metal or grain or...] entry, assist with sales and resource recovery operations within the site and complete any administrative tasks as required.

To be successful in this role you have to have excellent customer service skills, cash handling experience and the ability to undertake general light labouring tasks such as cleaning of the office and surrounds and picking up windblown litter.

Tools and technologies

You will mostly work with computer programmes to record details of transactions.

Did You Know?

Direct Measurement Ticket Example

Weighbridge Operators undertake weighing methods and ticket writing for

*direct weighing
*end-and-end weighing
*axle weighing

(Source: Industry.gov.au)

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as a Weighbridge Operator without formal qualifications, however, they may be useful.