Public weighbridge operator’s licence
Operators of public weighing equipment must ensure that they can
perform their duties competently and honestly. To operate
public weighing equipment you must hold a certificate from the
Chief Trading Standards Officer.
Applicants will be tested by a Trading Standards officer to show
that they can:
- operate the weighbridge satisfactorily
- complete any weighbridge tickets and documentation
satisfactorily
- understand basic terms associated with operating a
weighbridge
- understand their duties as a weighbridge operator
- understand potential frauds which a weighbridge operator may
unknowingly assist
- understand how the accuracy of the weighbridge may be
affected
- perform simple arithmetic
Before applying for a test, please make sure you have received
sufficient training in the operation of the equipment.
The scope of an operator's certificate is limited to the type of
weighbridge you will be expected to use. Should the
weighbridge be replaced, a new certificate will be required.
Good weighing practice
Annex 1
(PDF, 42k) contains a glossary of terms
associated with public weighing and in.
Regular checks should be made to ensure:
- there is clearance between the plate and its surrounding frame
– if the weighing machine operates using a lever bottomwork, the
plate should swing freely endways
- the weighbridge is properly balanced when unloaded and the
indicator shows zero
The weighbridge operator must know how to balance the weighing
machine. The balance of a weighbridge will be affected by the
accumulation of dirt, etc, on or around the plate. This should be
regularly cleaned to avoid any excessive build-up.
Beneath the plate, levers or load cells may be affected by the
build-up of dirt or sand and this should be cleared as necessary.
If your weighbridge is prone to such contamination, a regular
maintenance programme should be implemented.
In a pit-mounted weighbridge, balance and accuracy may be
affected by a high water level in the pit which 'floats' the bottom
work. In such circumstances, pumping facilities should be available
and the weighbridge operator will be expected to know how to use
it.
The most common cause of balance error is due to rain on the
plate. During periods of rain, balance should be checked and
adjusted more frequently, and again as the plate dries.
It is good practice to note on the weighing certificate if any
parts of a vehicle are missing. It is not unusual when weighing for
taxation purposes for seats, spare tyres and even batteries to be
removed in order to get the weight down to a lower category.
See weighbridge
notes (PDF, 23k) Tower Hamlets Trading Standards Team.
Weights and measures advice from Trading
Standards
How to contact us
Mulberry Place
PO Box 55739
5 Clove Crescent
London
E14 1BY
Opening hours are: 9am to 5pm, Monday to
Friday
Tel: 020 7364 5008
Fax: 020 7364 6901
Email: tradingstandards@towerhamlets.gov.uk