CWT Safety Procedures & Compliance 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When is it permissible to use a condemned weighing device in a commercial transaction?
- If the device owner signs a liability waiver
- Never; a condemned device must not be used until repaired and re-certified (Correct answer)
- If the error is within 5% of the tolerance
- During a grace period of up to 30 days after condemnation
Correct answer: Never; a condemned device must not be used until repaired and re-certified
A condemned device is legally prohibited from use in commerce until it has been repaired and successfully re-certified by an authorized inspector.
Question 2: What action should a CWT take if a client threatens or attempts to bribe them to pass a non-compliant scale?
- Accept the understanding that the client will repair the scale soon
- Refuse, document the incident, and report it to the supervising authority (Correct answer)
- Offer to return when the scale may be in better condition
- Reduce the tolerance criteria to allow approval
Correct answer: Refuse, document the incident, and report it to the supervising authority
Bribery or coercion attempts must be refused and reported to the supervising authority to protect the integrity of the inspection process.
Question 3: A load cell replacement on a legally-for-trade scale requires which step before the scale is returned to service?
- A visual inspection of the new load cell only
- Full re-calibration and re-certification by an authorized W&M official or licensed technician (Correct answer)
- Only a zero-point adjustment to account for the new cell
- Re-certification is not required if the same model load cell is used
Correct answer: Full re-calibration and re-certification by an authorized W&M official or licensed technician
Replacing a load cell is a repair that affects metrological performance, requiring full re-calibration and official re-certification before return to commercial service.
Question 4: Which statement best describes the CWT's responsibility regarding a scale's 'zero-load reference' at the start of a test?
- Zero-load reference should be ignored if the scale was recently serviced
- The technician must verify that the zero indication is within tolerance before proceeding with any load tests (Correct answer)
- Zero tolerance only applies to Class I precision balances
- Customers are responsible for zeroing the scale before the technician arrives
Correct answer: The technician must verify that the zero indication is within tolerance before proceeding with any load tests
Verifying zero-load reference within tolerance is a mandatory first step; an out-of-tolerance zero invalidates all subsequent load test readings.
Question 5: Under NTEP (National Type Evaluation Program), what does a Certificate of Conformance (CC) indicate?
- The device has passed a one-time field inspection at a specific location
- The device type has been evaluated and found to meet NIST HB 44 requirements for use in legal-for-trade applications (Correct answer)
- The manufacturer guarantees the device for 10 years
- The device is approved for use in laboratory settings only
Correct answer: The device type has been evaluated and found to meet NIST HB 44 requirements for use in legal-for-trade applications
An NTEP CC means the device type was evaluated against NIST HB 44 requirements and is approved for use as a legally-for-trade weighing device in the US.
Question 6: When transporting cast iron test weights in a vehicle, which safety practice is most important?
- Stack weights as high as possible to fit more in the vehicle
- Secure weights in appropriate carriers to prevent shifting and rolling during transport (Correct answer)
- Transport weights loose in the truck bed for easy unloading
- Cover weights with a tarp to keep them clean
Correct answer: Secure weights in appropriate carriers to prevent shifting and rolling during transport
Unsecured cast iron test weights can shift during transport, damaging the weights, the vehicle, or injuring personnel; proper restraint systems are required.
Question 7: A CWT working alone must test a 100,000 lb capacity truck scale using 50 lb field standards. If the required test load cannot be applied safely alone, the correct approach is to:
- Estimate accuracy by testing only to the weight available and extrapolate results
- Reschedule the test with adequate personnel, equipment, and test weights to perform a complete and safe test (Correct answer)
- Certify the scale for reduced capacity only based on available weights
- Ask the truck scale operator to drive loaded trucks across as test weights
Correct answer: Reschedule the test with adequate personnel, equipment, and test weights to perform a complete and safe test
A complete and safe calibration requires proper test weights and personnel; testing beyond safe solo capability requires rescheduling with adequate resources.
CWT Safety Procedures & Compliance 5
When is it permissible to use a condemned weighing device in a commercial transaction?