© Commonwealth of Australia 2008

First edition — February 2008
Second edition — September 2008
Third edition — December 2010
Fourth edition — February 2012

National Measurement Institute
Bradfield Road, Lindfield, NSW 2070
PO Box 264, Lindfield, NSW 2070

T (61 2) 8467 3600
F (61 2) 8467 3610
W www.measurement.gov.au

CONTENTS

Preface iv

1. Introduction 1

2. Terminology 1

3. Weighbridge Requirements 2 3.1 Approval and Verification 2 3.2 Display Sign at a Public Weighbridge 3 3.3 Location 3 3.4 Visibility 3 3.5 Approach 3 3.6 Platform 3 3.7 Pit 4 3.8 Electrical and Electronic Devices 4 3.9 Portable Weighbridges 4 3.10 Unattended Weighbridges 4

4. Checking a Weighbridge 4 4.1 Visual Inspection 5 4.2 Zero Operation and Indication Test 5 4.3 Zero Tracking Test 5 4.4 Eccentricity Test 5 4.5 Comparison Test 7

5. Weighing Procedure 7

6. Weighing Methods 9 6.1 Direct Measurement 9 6.2 End-and-End Measurement 9 6.3 Axle Load Measurement 10

7. Measurement Tickets for Weighbridges used for Trade 10

8. Measurement Tickets for Public Weighbridges 11 8.1 General Requirements and Guidelines 11 8.2 Direct Measurement Tickets 12 8.3 End-and-End Measurement Tickets 14 8.4 Axle Measurement Tickets 15

9. Law Enforcement 16 9.1 Offences and Penalties 16 9.2 Trade Measurement Inspectors 16 9.3 Road Transport Authorities 16

10. Frequently Asked Questions 17 10.1 Accuracy of Measurements 17 10.2 Weighbridges used for Trade 17 10.3 Public Weighbridges 18

Preface

THIS MANUAL PROVIDES GUIDANCE ON HOW TO OPERATE WEIGHBRIDGES USED FOR TRADE (INCLUDING PUBLIC WEIGHBRIDGES). IT SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON FOR LEGAL ADVICE AND IT DOES NOT REPLACE THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NATIONAL MEASUREMENT ACT 1960 AND THE NATIONAL TRADE MEASUREMENT REGULATIONS 2009. IF YOU ARE IN ANYWAY IN DOUBT OF YOUR OBLIGATIONS YOU SHOULD SEEK INDEPENDENT LEGAL ADVICE.

The significant differences between the third and fourth editions of this manual are:

• requirements have been added for:

o approaches (of weighbridges not used for end-and-end measurements) being in the same plane as the platform (clause 3.5);

o weighbridges that do not have a pit (clause 3.6); and

o weighbridges that have pits (clause 3.7).

• in clause 8 reference is made to S1/0B, a new general supplementary certificate which specifies requirements for pre-printed and computer-generated measurement tickets and additional indicating devices; and

• clause 8 (measurement tickets for public weighbridges) was previously clause 7.2 – it has been restructured and new examples are given for the different types of tickets.

The following documents referred to in this manual may be downloaded from our website (www.measurement.gov.au):

• General Supplementary Certificate of Approval S1/0/A Electronic Indicating and Printing Devices for Measuring Instruments;

• General Supplementary Certificate of Approval S1/0B Electronic Indicating, Summing or Printing Devices which are Interfaced and Auxiliary to an Approved Measuring Instrument;

• National Measurement Act 1960;

• National Measurement Regulations 1999;

• National Trade Measurement Regulations 2009;

• General Information for Test Procedures; and

• NITP 6.1 to 6.4 National Instrument Test Procedures for Non-automatic Weighing Instruments.

Introduction

This manual provides guidance on how to operate weighbridges used for trade (including public weighbridges) in compliance with the National Measurement Act 1960 and the National Trade Measurement Regulations 2009.

A weighbridge is used for trade when it is used, or made available for others to use, to buy or sell goods, to determine freight or other charges based on weight, or to determine a tax.

A weighbridge is made available as a public weighbridge if it is open for use by
the