PDC 2014 Final Report 

PDC - 1 

Report of the 

Professional Development Committee (PDC) 

Dale Saunders, Chair 

Virginia 

400 INTRODUCTION 

This is the report of the Professional Development Committee (PDC) (hereinafter referred to as the “Committee”) 

for the 99th Annual Meeting of the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM). This report is based 

on the Interim Report offered in the NCWM Publication 16, “Committee Reports,” testimony at public hearings, 

comments received from the regional weights and measures associations and other parties, the NCWM 2014 Online 

Position Forum, the addendum sheets issued at the Annual Meeting, and actions taken by the membership at the 

voting session of the Annual Meeting. The Informational items shown below were adopted as presented when this 

report was approved. 

Table A identifies the agenda and appendix items by reference key, title of item, page number and the appendices by 

appendix designations. The acronyms for organizations and technical terms used throughout the agenda are 

identified in Table B. The first three digits of an item’s reference key are assigned from the Subject Series List. The 

status of each item contained in the report is designated as one of the following: (D) Developing Item: the 

Committee determined the item has merit; however, the item was returned to the submitter or other designated party 

for further development before any action can be taken at the national level; (I) Informational Item: the item is 

under consideration by the Committee but not proposed for Voting; (V) Voting Item: the Committee is making 

recommendations requiring a vote by the active members of NCWM; (W) Withdrawn Item: the item has been 

removed from consideration by the Committee. 

Table B provides a summary of the results of the voting on the Committee’s items and the report in its entirety. 

Some Voting Items are considered individually, others may be grouped in a consent calendar. Consent calendar 

items are Voting Items that the Committee has assembled as a single Voting Item during their deliberation after the 

Open Hearings on the assumption that the items are without opposition and will not require discussion. The Voting 

Items that have been grouped into consent calendar items will be listed on the addendum sheets. Prior to adoption of 

the consent calendar, the Committee entertains any requests from the floor to remove specific items from the 

consent calendar to be discussed and voted upon individually. 

Proposed revisions to the handbook(s) are shown as follows: 1) deleted language is indicated with a bold face font 

using strikeouts (e.g., this report), and 2) proposed new language is indicated with an underscored bold faced 

font (e.g., new items). When used in this report, the term “weight” means “mass.” 

Note: The policy is to use metric units of measurement in all of its publications; however, recommendations 

received by NCWM technical committees and regional weights and measures associations have been printed in this 

publication as submitted. Therefore, the report may contain references to inch-pound units. 

Subject Series List 

Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 400 Series 

Education ........................................................................................................................................................ 410 Series 

Program Management ..................................................................................................................................... 420 Series 
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Table A 

Table of Contents 

Reference Key Title of Item Page PDC

400 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 1 

410 EDUCATION .................................................................................................................................... 3 

410-1 I Professional Certification Program .............................................................................................. 3 

410-2 I Training ....................................................................................................................................... 7 

410-3 I Instructor Improvement ............................................................................................................... 8 

410-4 I Recommended Topics for Conference Training .......................................................................... 8 

420 PROGRAM MANAGEMENT ...................................................................................................... 10 

420-1 I Safety Awareness ...................................................................................................................... 10 

420-2 I PDC Publication ........................................................................................................................ 12 

 

Appendices 

A Professional Certification Program Curriculum Work Plan .................................................................. A1 

B History of Professional Certification Program ...................................................................................... B1 

C History of Instructor Improvement ........................................................................................................ C1 

D Training Manual .................................................................................................................................... D1 

Reference Key 

Number

House of State 

Representatives House of Delegates

Results

Yeas Nays Yeas Nays 

To accept the Report Voice Vote Adopted 

 

Table B 

Voting Results 
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Table C 

Glossary of Acronyms and Terms 

 

DETAILS OF ALL ITEMS

(In order by Reference Key)

410 EDUCATION 

410-1 I Professional Certification Program 

Professional certifications are offered in many industries as a means of demonstrating competence in a particular 

field of expertise. Certification may be a means of qualifying an individual for employment or higher pay grade 

within a profession. The NCWM Professional Certification Program provides confidence that an individual has a 

strong understanding of U.S weights and measures standards as adopted by NCWM and published in NIST 

Handbooks, 44, 130, and 133. 

Professional certification is available to NCWM members and non-members in the private sector and in government 

positions. Please note that the person taking the test must be an NCWM member in order to receive the exams for 

free. 

To date, the Committee has developed exams for retail motor fuel dispensers (RMFD), basic package checking, and 

small capacity scales Class III. Additional examinations will be offered in the following order: 

 Vehicle tank meters 

 Medium capacity scales 

Acronym Term Acronym Term 

ADDIE Analysis, Design, Development, 

Implementation, and Evaluation NEWMA Northeastern Weights and Measures Association 

ANSI American Nation 

al Standards Institute NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology 

BOK Body of Knowledge OWM Office of Weights and Measures 

CWMA Central Weights and Measures 

Association PDC Professional Development Committee 

ISO International Standardization 

Organization RSA Registered Service Agents 

ICE Institute for Credentialing Excellence SME Subject Matter Expert 

NCWM National Conference on Weights and 

Measures SWMA Southern Weights and Measures Association 

 WWMA Western Weights and Measures 

Association 
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 Large capacity scales 

 LPG 

 Price Verification 

Based on a 2011 survey, the existing priorities for the next exams include taximeters, mass flow meters, timing 

devices, and packaging and labeling requirements. The Committee continues to solicit feedback on priorities for 

future exams. Please contact the Committee Chair through NCWM Headquarters. A listing of modules and other 

potential exam subjects is provided in the PDC Curriculum Work Plan (PDC Appendix A). 

At the 2014 NCWM Interim meeting, the Committee heard the following comments on this item: 

 Ms. Julie Quinn, Minnesota Weights and Measures Director, made the comment that she had her light duty 

inspectors take the basic package checking exam, and even though they were trained to do volumetric 

testing, they did not pass the exam because they do not apply the principles in the field very often. 

Practical experience and not just book learning is necessary to pass the test. Ms. Carol Hockert, NIST, 

OWM, agreed and said that NIST, OWM’s basic package checking course covers only checking packages 

labeled by weight and the intermediate class is on packages labeled by volume. Mr. Ross Andersen 

indicated that he and the Committee will look at the issue and see if something needs to change with regard 

to this package checking test. The committee plans to survey the states to see if there is agreement that 

testing packages labeled by volume is really an intermediate, and not a basic, skill. 

 In response to a question on how to find current EPOs from NIST Handbook 112, Ms. Hockert said that the 

EPOs were in the process of being updated but would be back on the NIST, OWM website this spring. The 

Committee suggests that anyone interested in obtaining the most current EPOs should contact NIST OWM. 

 Mr. Jerry Buendel, Washington Program Manager, asked that the Committee not lower the bar on the 

exams but keep them at a high level. Mr. Bunendel expressed the need to have the best questions possible 

to maintain the integrity and the quality of the certification. He also requested exam takers get feedback 

when they failed an exam so they can improve on the areas that need to be strengthened. Mr. Dale 

Saunders, PDC Committee Chair, responded on behalf of the Committee that providing feedback to the 

exam takers could jeopardize the ability to get accreditation for the Certification Program. Ms. Quinn 

offered the opinion that most people know which questions they are unsure of or struggled with. 

 Mr. Andersen commented that as Certification Coordinator, his job is to regularly evaluate the exam 

questions to make sure the exams are balanced, relative to the Module and chosen competency level, to 

check whether individual questions are mechanically flawed or don’t fit the learning objective in the 

module, and to check whether the competency level of the learning objectives are correct. While high 

failure rates may indicate problems with the exam questions, it may also indicate that candidates are not 

well prepared for the type of exam they are taking. 

 Mr. Kurt Floren, Los Angeles County Agriculture Commissioner, expressed his appreciation to Mr. 

Andersen and the subject matter experts who do not receive compensation for the time and the effort they 

are putting into this process. Mr. Andersen clarified that recently retired weights and measures individuals 

will be compensated somewhat to help write some of the questions for upcoming exams, as explained in 

the NCWM Board of Directors’ report, Item 110-2. 

Status of Current tests 

Current tests – RMFD, Small Capacity Scales Class III, and Basic Package Checking 

The Committee reported that exam statistics show steady improvement over time, indicating that much of the 

problem with passing the tests has to do with a need to acclimate to the learning objectives in the modules and 

to the experience of on-line testing. 
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Retail Motor Fuel Devices FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 Total 

# of Registrants 76 107 29 212 

# of Certificates Issued 45 83 18 146 

% certificates per registrants 59 % 78 % 62 % 69 % 

Small Capacity Scales Class III FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 Total 

# of Registrants - 17 51 68 

# of Certificates Issued - 6 18 24 

% certificates per registrants - 35 % 35 % 35 % 

Package Checking Basic FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 Total 

# of Registrants - 15 27 42 

# of Certificates Issued - 5 11 16 

% certificates per registrants - 33% 41% 38% 

The vehicle tank meters (VTM) exam is in development now, as well as the medium and large capacity scale exams. 

The SMEs are currently writing the questions. The Certification Coordinator is currently seeking SMEs for the LPG 

liquid measuring exam. A notice about SMEs for the price verification exam will come out later this spring. The 

Committee thanks those who have already volunteered to be SMEs.

The Committee wishes to acknowledge the SMEs currently working on the VTM and medium and large capacity 

scale exams: 

Vehicle Tank Meters 

Medium Capacity Scales 

Large Capacity Scales 

Conrad Brown, ME Mark Buccelli, MN, Ret 

Charles Carroll, MA Jim Daggon, Rice lake Weighing 

Gabe Frezzo, Industry, PA Dennis Fox, Central Illinois Scale 

Lewis Hutfles, KS Nathan Gardner, OR 

Paul Jordan, CA Joe Grell, Rice Lake Weighing 

Antony Joseph, NY Roger Macey, CA, Ret 

John Kirk, VA Matthew Maiten, Santa Barbara, CA 

Gary Kneissel, MN Mike Mann, WA 

Mike Mann, WA Albie Michelson, WY, Ret 

Albie Michelson, WY, Ret John Pasko, WI 

Ron Pierce, PA Kevin Pfeiffer, VA 

Gary Sassaman, Liquid Meas & Controls, PA Doug Rudy, PA 
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Vehicle Tank Meters 

Medium Capacity Scales 

Large Capacity Scales 

Scott Simmons, CO Mike Smith, NY 

Mike Smith, NY Richard Suiter, NE, NIST, Ret 

Michael Swimm, ME Courtney Ward, Quality Scales 

Otto Warnlof, MN/NIST, Ret Otto Warnlof, MN, NIST, Ret 

Jared Williams, WI 

Ray Woolfolk, AK 

Jane Zulkiewicz, Barnstable, MA 

The Committee also wants to assure members that SMEs will not compromise their ability to be trainers. SMEs will 

not be allowed to have access to more than 25 % of the exam questions. 

Mr. Don Onwiler made a comment that this restriction on access to the test questions is an important part of 

maintaining the integrity of the exam process as the certification program moves toward formal accreditation. 

Eventually, exam questions may need to be copyrighted. SMEs should note that they should modify exam questions 

before submitting them to the Certification Coordinator if they wish to continue to use those questions in their own 

exams. 

Regional Associations Comments: 

WWMA supports the continued development of the Certification and Proficiency Testing Program. The 

membership recognizes the value of the test in improving skills, enhancing credibility of both weights and measures 

officials and registered service agents. The Committee commends the efforts made by the volunteer subject matter 

experts, contract staff, and NCWM leadership involved in this initiative. 

NEWMA members recognize the importance of the certification exams in demonstrating knowledge and skills in 

utilizing the handbook, and enhancing the credibility of both weights and measures officials and registered service 

agents. Members continue to appeal for an overview of their certification exam results so they can determine where 

skills need improvement. Some individuals are still experiencing problems with timeouts and citation issues. A 

suggestion was made to again review the amount of time that was allowed to complete each section of the exam. 

NEWMA is thankful to the volunteer efforts of the subject matter experts, the Certification Coordinator, and others 

involved in the development and implementation of the certification examinations. 

At the 2014 CWMA Annual Meeting, an industry representative asked why so few people were taking the 

certification tests. Minnesota indicated that their inspectors would only be taking the test every five years, unless 

there was job turnover. Ohio indicated that labor contracts needed to be renegotiated before they could require their 

inspectors to take the tests. Mr. John Gaccione said that the Northeast states also were bound by labor contracts that 

made requiring the tests difficult. They currently require civil service exams. Iowa indicated some states might 

want to use the tests but might lack the staff and time to develop a program. The room was polled on how the tests 

were being used: 

 Two states (Minnesota and Missouri) require their investigators to take and pass the certification tests. 

 Two states (Iowa and Ohio) are working on requiring that their registered service agents take the test. 

Ohio is offering five continuing education credits or each test taken and passed by an inspector. 
PDC 2014 Final Report 

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410-2 I Training 

The purpose of this item is to share best practices and approaches to training in response to the broad training needs 

of weights and measures jurisdictions, and to serve as a link to various training materials on the web. Eventually, 

Item 410-2 will become the home for the training material program currently under development by the NCWM 

Board of Directors. 

The Committee reported that the Board of Directors is assembling a new work group to be headed by Michael 

Cleary, former Director of the California Division of Measurement Standards. The function of the work group will 

be to develop guidance on the scope of training for weights and measures officials, and will report to the PDC. 

Anyone interested in serving on this working group should contact the NCWM Board of Directors. Appendix D has 

been added which includes; A Competency- Based Evaluation Scale, an Interpersonal Skills for Field Training 

Inspectors document, Standardize Evaluation Guidelines, a Routine Observation Report Form, and a Training 

Program for Department of Commerce Weights and Measures Investigator I Training. Please note that the newly 

added items in Appendix D are a work in progress and may change somewhat in the future. 

 Mike Cleary gave an overview of the objectives and progress of the Training Manual Task Group. 

Members include: 

o Mike Cleary, Chair, California (Retired) 

o Craig Harris, Ohio 

o Josh Nelson, Oregon 

o Debbie Radar, Arizona 

o Julie Quinn, Minnesot 

o Scott Simmons, Colorado 

o Agatha Shields, Ohio 

o Paul Jordan, California 

o Greg Gholston, Missouri 

o Nathan Gardner, Oregon 

 The objectives of this group are to: 

o Gather subject matter experts. 

o Identify the core competencies necessary to be a successful weights and measures inspector. 

o Develop a comprehensive field training guide comprised of core competencies linked to the 

handbooks. 

o Develop a competency based evaluation process. 

o Develop selection criteria for Field Training Inspectors (FTI) and those who will manage the field 

training and their relationship to management. 

o Develop a Routine Observation Form (ROF) that lists basic employee skills during the training period. 

o Develop a detailed rating system for the ROF. 

o Develop a rating system for the core competencies checklist. 

To date, the task group has developed the ROF, a detailed rating for the ROF, a rating methodology (a 

competency based evaluation scale), and criteria guide for selecting field training inspectors. 

 Ms. Hockert stated that there have been two Train the Trainer classes, one in April 2013 and another in 

December 2013. A subsequent Train the Trainer course for those who took the first class will be offered in 

April 2014. The goal is to develop a long term training program to build a pool of regional trainers for both 

their states and for their regions. She also said that NIST OWM will conduct a half-day training event at all 

the regional meetings for managers to evaluate the success of the training. 

 Mr. Andersen suggested that trainers should be encouraged to take the existing NCWM certification exams 

to become familiar with the types of questions asked. He also suggested trainers incorporate the NCWM 

modules in all of their training plans. 
PDC 2014 Final Report 

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Regional Associations Comments: 

The WWMA supports the development of a field training program for weights and measures officials. The training 

program will be a valuable resource in the technical training, professional development, and evaluation of weights 

and measures officials. The program, as envisioned, will allow officials to quickly tailor training programs to the 

individual program’s needs, provide an outline for each segment of the training, and supply tools for tracking the 

trainee’s progress and proficiency. The members urge the NCWM PDC and the Board to support this project and 

closely track its progress. 

NEWMA believes that training and development is an important component to any weights and measures program.

410-3 I Instructor Improvement 

Report Cleanup: 

Interim 2013 Meeting: The Committee agreed to move the historical data in the current item to Appendix C with 

the intention of moving it into the Committee archives at the 2014 Interim. Moving forward, historical information 

will be archived, and this item will contain only current action items. 

Current Items: 

NIST, OWM provided two Train the Trainer courses as a way to increase the number of trainers available to teach 

OWM courses. Additional classes will be offered in the future. The training is free, and OWM asks for a minimum 

commitment from each participant of leading one to two training courses with a NIST, OWM trainer in the 

subsequent year. Expenses involved with teaching the course(s) are covered by OWM. Thirty-seven individuals 

have been trained thus far. 

Regional Associations Comments: 

The WWMA expresses its gratitude to NIST, OWM and commends them for offering this valuable course. The 

training is designed to improve the quality of weights and measures regulatory activities, enhance the skills of the 

staff, and promote uniformity. The trained trainers are a beneficial resource, which is available to all jurisdictions. 

This initiative is an excellent example of the innovative partnership between NIST and NCWM. 

NEWMA 2014 Annual Meeting: A comment was made that having regional trainers that are well trained in adult 

learning, as well as in technical material, will be beneficial in helping individuals to retain information when training 

is given. NIST, OWM is doing a great job! 

CWMA 2014 Annual Meeting: NIST, OWM reported that 37 student-trainers from 30 states had participated in the 

Regional Trainer Program so far, and a few were almost ready to start training others on their own. Ohio reported 

that their trainers were much more effective because of this training. Minnesota asked if similar training could be 

developed for staff who trains new hires one-on-one in the field. NIST, OWM prefers to concentrate its efforts on 

areas where there are gaps; so they will not be organizing that kind of training. They recommended the Bob Pike 

Group and the Training Clinic (both in Minnesota) for developing field trainers. 

410-4 I Recommended Topics for Conference Training 

The Board of Directors has charged the Committee with recommending appropriate topics for the technical sessions 

at future Annual Meetings. The Board of Directors asked the PDC to review and prioritize possible presentations 

and submit those to NCWM Chairman. The Chairman will coordinate with NCWM staff to secure presenters and 

schedule the sessions. 

The Committee acknowledged the continued interest for a presentation on “Making Sense of Electronic Receipts” 

and is seeking assistance in identifying a suitable presenter on the topic. A comment was heard from the floor that 

“Price Posting on Retail Motor Fuel Devices” should be added to the list so the new changes can be explained. 

The Committee would like to recommend that the regional associations and NCWM consider offering training on: 
PDC 2014 Final Report 

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 Making Sense of Electronic Receipts; 

 Training the Trainer in Adult Learning Techniques; 

 Ethics for Weights & Measures Officials; and 

 Data Privacy Issues Faced by Weights & Measures Officials. 

The PDC continues to carry the following list and recommends these topics for possible training seminars, 

roundtables, or symposia for presentation at future NCWM meetings: 

 Guidelines for Supplemental Declarations (recommended by PALS);

 Alternative Fuels Issues (Fuel Volatility, Ethanol Blending, and Biodiesel Blend); 

 Ergonomics (including Proper Lifting Techniques, Back and Stress Techniques, and Office Ergonomics); 

 Public Relations (specifically dealing with aggressive/angry people) (recommended by the SWMA); 

 General Safety Issues (recommended by the WWMA); 

 Defensive Driving (recommended by the WWMA); 

 Administrative Civil Penalty Process (recommended by the WWMA);

 Price Verification (recommended by the WWMA); 

 Customer Service (recommended by the WWMA); 

 Moisture Loss; 

 Documenting Investigations for Court Proceedings; 

 Honing Presentation Skills; 

 Emerging Issues; 

 Implementing New RMFD Price Posting and Computing Capability Revisions (recommended by the 

WWMA); 

 Fundamentals of the National Type Evaluation Program (recommended by the WWMA); 

 Electric Vehicles: Commercial Devices, Method of Sale, Advertising and Labeling (recommended by the 

WWMA); 

 Understanding the International Weights and Measures Standards Development System (recommended by 

the WWMA); and 

 Crane Operation and Safety (recommended by the NEWMA). 

The following is a list of recent presentations. Presentations since 2010 are available at 

www.ncwm.net/meetings/annual/archive: 

 Taximeter Technology Advancements (Mr. Matt Daus, International Association of Transportation 

Regulators, 2013); 

 Advanced Vehicles and Fuel Quality (Mr. John M Cabaniss, Jr., Association of Global Automakers, 2013); 

 Economic Justification and Demonstrating Value of Weights and Measures (Mr. Tim Chesser, Arkansas 

Bureau of Standards, 2012); 

 Conducting Effective Marketplace Surveys and Investigations (Ms. Judy Cardin, Wisconsin Weights and 

Measures, 2012);

 Public Relations and Customer Service as Regulators (Mr. Doug Deiman, Alaska Division of Measurement 

Standards/CVE, 2012); 

 An Overview of Unit Pricing in the United States (Mr. David Sefcik, NIST, OWM, 2011); 

 Grocery Unit Pricing in Australia (Mr. Ian Jarratt, Queensland Consumers Association, 2011); 

 Grocery Unit Pricing in Canada (Mr. Ian Jarratt, Queensland Consumers Association, 2011); 

 The U.S. Hydrogen Measuring System: The Turning Point? (Ms. Kristin Macey, California Division of 

Measurement Standards, 2011); 

 Corrosion in Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Underground Storage Systems (Mr. Prentiss Searles and Ms. Lorri 

Grainawi, American Petroleum Institute, 2010); 

 Risk-Based Inspection Schemes (Mr. Henry Oppermann, Weights and Measures Consulting, LLC, 2010); 

 Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) (Mr. Gordon Johnson, Gilbarco, Inc., and Mr. Randy Moses,Wayne,2009); 

 Fuel Volatility and Ethanol Blending (Mr. Jim McGetrick, BP Products, 2009); 

 Investigative Techniques (Mr. Michael Cleary, Retired, 2009); 
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 Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC) Field Test Procedures;

 Elements of an Effective Safety and Health Program (Mr. Dan Whipple, Organization???, 2008); 

 Analyzing Temperature Compensation Data (Mr. Henry Oppermann, NIST, OWM, and Mr. Steven 

Malone, Nebraska Division of Weights and Measures, 2007); 

 The Great Temperature Compensation Debate (Mr. Ross Andersen, New York Bureau of Weights and 

Measures, 2007); 

 NIST Handbook 44, Scale Code Tare Changes (Mr. Steve Cook, NIST OWM, XXXX DATE). 

Regional Associations Comments: 

The WWMA recommends adding the following topic to the Conference training list: “Outreach and Promotional 

Materials.” For example, outreach to legislative bodies, the general public, civic groups, industry, and news/social 

media. 

The CWMA recommends training on the 2012 changes in NIST Handbook 44 related to pre-delivery and postdelivery discounts on retail motor fuel dispensers. 

420 PROGRAM MANAGEMENT 

420-1 I Safety Awareness 

 Mr. Brett Gurney, Utah Weights & Measures Program Manager, notified the Committee that he is now the 

representative for the Western Weights and Measures Association and will be submitting his article soon. 

 Ms. Julie Quinn reminded the Committee that Regional Safety Liaisons should contact the states within 

their regions to obtain information about the general types of safety problems experienced. Jurisdictions 

are encouraged to send their safety reports and issues to their Regional Safety Liaison, who in turn will 

forward them to the PDC. 

Below is a list of the Regional Safety Liaisons. Regional Associations should keep the committee updated on 

current liaison assignments. 

Central Weights and Measures Association (CWMA): 

Ms. Julie Quinn, Minnesota Weights and Measures Division 

Northeastern Weights and Measures Association (NEWMA): 

Mr. Michael Sikula, New York Bureau of Weights and Measures 

Southern Weights and Measures Association (SWMA): 

Mr. Matthew Curran, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 

Western Weights and Measures Association (WWMA): 

Mr. Brett Gurney, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food 

The Committee will continue asking the regions to prepare articles for the NCWM Newsletter and has revised the 

schedule as follows for future issues. The Committee plans to notify the Regional Safety Liaisons as their 

assignment date approaches. 
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Region Issue Article Deadline Published 

WWMA 2014, Issue 1 18-Jan-14 February 

CWMA 2014, Issue 2 16-Apr-14 May 

NEWMA 2014, Issue 3 17-Jul-14 September 

SWMA 2015, Issue 1 24-Jan-15 February 

Email all articles to NCWM headquarters at info@ncwm.net. 

The Committee would like to thank those persons who submitted safety related articles to NCWM Newsletter. In 

particular, the Committee recognizes the contributors for the 2012 NCWM Newsletters. 

o Behavior Based Safety, 2013 Issue 1 (Julie Quinn, Minnesota) 

o New Requirements for Right-to-Know Training, 2013 Issue 2 (Mike Sikula, New York) 

The Committee asks for suggestions for safety articles that people would like to see in future newsletters and/or 

safety issues that need to be addressed immediately. The PDC reminds regional associations to check the 

submission deadlines for their upcoming article assignments. Send completed articles to NCWM headquarters by 

the submission deadline. 

Regional Associations Comments: 

The WWMA reported that Mr. Gurney, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food will replace Mr. Deiman as 

WWMA regional safety liaison. The WWMA thanks Mr. Deiman for his service and leadership. 

CWMA 2014 Annual Meeting: Minnesota echoed Mr. Bob Murnane’s comment from the NCWM Interim Meeting, 

that this item was one of the most important but least developed items on the agenda, and urged volunteers to join 

the Committee specifically to work on developing it. A discussion of common safety issues ensued. The following 

safety concerns and incidents were reported: 

 Electrical Hazards 

o Grounding problem in an electric pump on a prover caused a fire and destruction of a return hose 

o Electrical grounding problem at a dispenser caused the death of a young girl at a marine fueling station 

when she grabbed the dock 

 Physical hazards from the general public 

o Drive by shootings at gas stations when inspectors were present

o Bank robbery in a grocery store while the inspector was checking cash register scales 

o Inspectors being struck, or nearly struck, by vehicles while they worked 

o Inspectors not knowing electric vehicles were in their work area because the vehicles make no sound 

o People smoking in gas stations 

o People on cell phones, particularly at gas stations 

 Physical hazards from business owners and clients 

o Inspector being jumped from behind by an angry station owner 

o Inspector being locked in an office by an angry owner 

o Grenade found in the cabinet of a RMFD at a location where the owner was hostile to the inspector 

 Snakes in RMFD cabinets 

 Confined spaces – scale pits 

OSHA requiring a respiratory program when inspectors have to work at sites which require them to use respirators. 
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420-2 I PDC Publication 

No comments were received at the 2014 NCWM Interim Meeting. The PDC will work with NCWM staff to revamp 

the NCWM webpage to improve accessibility to PDC publications. 

Regional Associations Comments: 

The WWMA recognizes the value of the improved website and commends NCWM for its work. 

Mr. Dale Saunders, Virginia | Committee Chair 

Ms. Cheryl Ayer, New Hampshire | Member 

Ms. Kristin Macey, California | Member 

Mr. Stacy Carlsen, Marin County, California | Member 

Ms. Julie Quinn, Minnesota | Member 

Mr. Mr. Richard Shipman, Rice Lake Weighing Systems | Associate Membership Representative 

Mr. Ross Andersen | Certification Coordinator 

Professional Development Committee