TRAINING FOR THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES OFFICIAL COURSE

TRAINING FOR THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES OFFICIAL COURSE CURRICULUM MODULE 1 Introduction MODULE 2 Laws & Regulations MODULE 3 Enforcement Procedures MODULE 4 Legal Action MODULE 5 Legal Metrology MODULE 6 Field Standards & Test Equipment MODULE 7 Basic Weighing / Measuring Principles

TRAINING FOR THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES OFFICIAL COURSE CURRICULUM MODULE 8 Device Type Evaluation MODULE 9 Weighing Devices MODULE 10 Measuring Devices MODULE 11 Weighmaster Enforcement MODULE 12 Petroleum Products MODULE 13 Quantity Control MODULE 14 Service Agencies and Agents

TRAINING FOR THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES OFFICIAL Module Eleven “WEIGHMASTER ENFORCEMENT” Eleventh in a series of 14

General Overview This module will: n Define “weighmaster” n Review the two categories of weighmasters n Provide some history of the weighmaster program

Module Objectives Familiarize you with the laws and regulations governing weighmaster operations Explain the basic weighmaster licensing and weighmaster certificate content requirements Review the basic steps in conducting a location inspection Learn the procedures in establishing/maintaining various types of carried and average tare weights Introduce you to the volumetric conversion procedure for squid, Pacific Whiting and anchovy Review end product testing

Introduction The Weighmaster Enforcement Program Assures that commercial transactions, based on quantities certified to on a weighmaster certificate, are accurate Licenses as weighmasters, the individuals or firms who weigh, measure or count bulk commodities and issue certificates of accuracy of the weight, measure or count

History The Weighmaster Act - 1915 WEIGHMASTER ACT First official Act regulating weighmaster activity An act defining public weighmaster: describing his duties; providing for rules and regulations governing the performance of his duties; prescribing a bond and fixing the amount thereof; and providing penalties for any violation of the provisions of this act. Public Weighmaster. Bond. Seals. Exceptions. SECTION 1. Any person, firm, corporation, copartnership, or individual engaged in the business of public weighing for hire who shall weigh or measure any commodity, produce or article, and issue therefore a weight or measure certificate which shall be accepted as the accurate weight or measure upon which the purchase or sale of such commodity, produce, or article is based shall be known as a public weighmaster, and shall file a bond with the State Superintendent of Weights and Measures.

Locations Fixed Non-Fixed A permanent, physical location or address A random, non-established or unpredictable location(s) May operate both fixed and non-fixed locations

Licensing Complete and submit a license application with appropriate fees Fixed Location Additional Fixed Non-fixed Location Deputy - $ 75. 00 $ 30. 00 $200. 00 $ 20. 00

Weighmaster Certificates n Issued as the basis to buy or sell a commodity n To charge for a service based on quantity indicated on certificate n Required to be issued whenever payment is dependent on written or printed weight, measure, or count

Weighmaster Certificates Content n Legend n Printed name of principal weighmaster n Numbered consecutively n Other information applicable to transaction n Information must be clear and legible

Operational Requirements Shall: n Weigh a vehicle with all persons out of vehicle and off scale n Weigh vehicle, container, pallet or commodity at the time of certification n Not weigh vehicle for certification when part is not resting on scale n Not issue certificates in excess of 80, 000 lbs. gross weight

Weighmaster Inspection and Certificate Audits Audit Report form is a record of the inspector’s findings after examining weighmaster certificates and operations Audit Policies Ensures uniform enforcement Purpose of Inspection Program Licensed weighmasters Properly trained deputies Use approved and sealed devices Promote accuracy Ensure weights are legally established and maintained

Location Inspection n Verify license information and status with DMS prior to inspection n Speak with supervisor upon arrival n Complete Audit Form based on findings n Review all violations with person in charge and obtain signature

Location Inspection Areas to Examine: License Weighmaster Certificates Containers & Pallets People Inside & Outside Scale Vehicles & Trucks Weighing, Measuring, & Counting Procedures

Container & Vehicle Tare Weight – Empty or unladen weight of a vehicle, container or pallet A tare weight that is legally established and used repeatedly is referred to as a “Carried” Tare Weight There are seven types of “Carried” Tare Weights:

Common Tare Weight Average weight of a group of containers or pallets determined prior to time of delivery Used for containers / pallets weighing 1, 000 lbs. or less Must complete a Common Tare Notice

Common Tare Weight Verification Identify common tare weights used Containers & pallets used Common tare weight codes Reweigh containers & pallets Tolerance Two-tenths (0. 2) pound or two percent (2%)

Predetermined Individual Tare Weights Weight of a vehicle, container or pallet determined prior to time of delivery Must be permanently marked on both sides with company name, license number and predetermined individual tare weight

Predetermined Individual Tare Weights Verification Reweigh vehicle, container or pallet Tolerance Two-tenths (0. 2) pound or two percent (2%)

Predetermined Individual Tare Weights for Earth, Rock, etc. Material etc. Used exclusively for trucks hauling earth, stone, rock, sand, gravel and asphalt paving material Exempt from some “carried” tare weight regulations

Predetermined Individual Tare Weights for Earth, Rock, etc. Verification Obtain recorded tare weight from weighmaster Driver on/off Tolerance Actual weight not to exceed recorded weight

Seasonal Tare Weight (Cab Card) Tare weight of a fuel-consuming vehicle used to transport only bulk loads of tomatoes and is valid only one harvest season

Seasonal Tare Weight (Cab Card) Verification Truck driver presents cab card Take possession of cab card Instruct driver to disconnect tractor Tolerance Actual weight of tractor cannot vary by more than 300 pounds

Timber Tare Weights Are established on unladen, log hauling trucks and used to determine net weight of logs delivered to a saw mill Net weight converted to board foot volume Based on a mathematical average

Timber Tare Weights Verification Review and verify all records Review computer program used Tolerance Actual tare weight does not exceed timber tare weight by more than 2%

Multiple Draft Weighing procedure whereby individual weights of connected vehicles in the combination are determined without resting on the scale deck simultaneously and without disconnecting the vehicles n Must first submit a written request for authorization and submit test data supporting accuracy n Must have approval from CDFA

Multiple Draft Weighing Verification Review weighmaster procedures used to establish multiple draft weight Reweigh vehicle and connected combination Tolerance No more than twice the scale tolerance for the net load

Volumetric Conversion to Weight of Squid Procedure whereby the weight of squid, Pacific Whiting or anchovy, removed from fishing vessels, may be determined by computation based on volumetric measurement of containers History Preceded by numerous fisherman complaints Requested by CA Department of Fish & Game Official weight— 62. 8 pounds per cubic foot Requirements Specific markings on containers Issuance of Fish and Game landing receipt

Average Tare Weights Not considered to be a carried tare weight Average weight of a group of containers within a uniform weight range at the time of delivery n Determined for each load at time of certification n Not used on subsequent loads

Average Tare Weights Verification Review weighmaster procedures used to establish the average tare weight If said containers are available, reweigh them

End Product Testing An investigative tool to determine compliance Types of End Product Testing n n n n Weight / measure verification Salvage material test sales Household goods reweigh Bulk delivery volume verification Ready-mix concrete verification Livestock reweighs Undercover requests for false certificates

Summary Basic weighmaster licensing & certificate requirements How to conduct a location inspection How to establish & maintain types of carried and average tare weights Volumetric conversion procedure End product testing

Conclusion This training module has provided you with a better understanding of the weighmaster program and a deeper appreciation about their rights and responsibilities

TRAINING FOR THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES OFFICIAL This Concludes Module 11 “WEIGHMASTER ENFORCEMENT”