The Bahamas Bureau of Standards and Quality (BBSQ) recently participated in a “Calibration of Weights” workshop in Quito, Ecuador, from the 10th to 14thof August to provide a unique hands-on training experience for key personnel of the BBSQ.

Praising the progress that the BBSQ (which is a part of the Ministry of Financial Services)has made in pursuing training opportunities for technical officers was Minister of Financial Services, Hon. Hope Strachan: There is a new buzz word in town – “Metrology”; but it is simply the science of measurement.

“At the most basic level of any trading system is metrology – the provision of accurate and reliable measurements. Economies cannot survive in the absence of trade; it is therefore essential that the building blocks of a national quality infrastructure (NQI) - such as metrology and standardization), are correctly put in place to facilitate trade and open market access of goods and services, internally and externally, and also in ensuring consumer protection, and the health and safety of our citizens.” So I applaud the work of the BBSQ in participating in the Calibration of Weights training activity as a step in the right direction in preparing technical officers to meet the demands of a NQI system for our citizens.”

Minister Strachan also noted that the “process of standardization will most likely result in increased trade-flows that would undoutebdly create a stronger Bahamian economy.”

The workshop was partly funded by the Inter-American System of Metrology (SIM), of which the BBSQ is a member. Attending the workshop were Miss Arielle Braynen, Bureau’s new Metrologist and electrical engineer, and Dr. Renae Bufford, Director of the BBSQ.

The purpose of the workshop was to introduce new Metrologists at national metrology institutes (such as the BBSQ) to the basic principles of calibration of weights according to international standards established in the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML).

Topics covered at the workshop ranged from the conversion between true mass and conventional mass to calibration of the volume of weights and the measurement of magnetic susceptibility.

Ms. Braynen expressed appreciation at the chance to have her first hands-on experience in the calibration of weights and measurement activities at the internationally-renowned mass and volume laboratories of the Ecuadorian Institute for Standards and Quality (INEN).

“My training in Ecuador on the calibration of weights was very informative – both theoretically and practically. It was very useful to me in acquiring enhanced metrology skills. As a new Metrology Officer of the BBSQ, I am grateful to have gained hands-on experience in a well-established work environment like the Ecuadorian Metrology lab. The opportunity to train and work alongside other trained and experienced Metrologists further increased my enthusiasm for Metrology and also enabled me to be able to effectively train other technical staff.”

The BBSQ is mandated by the Weights and Measures Act of 2006 to regulate all weights and measures activities in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in relation to ensuring high standards in consumer protection, health, public safety, the environment, and the local trade of goods. It functions as the foundation in establishing the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI), which encompasses all areas of metrology, standardization, testing, quality management, certification and accreditation and ensures access to (and fulfillment of) international standards and technical regulations.

Director Bufford believes that such opportunities for training are essential to ensuring that BBSQ members stay up to date and aligned with international standards and developments as the Bureau begins to implement its own local standards. “The workshop on the calibration of weights was indeed a timely one for the Bureau. As we begin the process of implementing our mandate, it is of the utmost importance that we maintain the highest of standards; opportunities for training and continuing education are key to accomplishing this goal. In pursuit of this objective, all of the technical staff at the Standards Bureau will be participating in international training workshops at various member states for the month of September.”

Permanent Secretary Ministry of Financial Services - David Davis; Minister of Financial Services Hon. Hope Strachan, Miss Arielle Braynen, Bureau’s new Metrologist and electrical engineer, and Dr. Renae Bufford, Director of the BBSQ.