HARRISBURG – The Department of Agriculture’s weights and measures program is now more efficient than ever thanks to significant improvements to the state’s inspection processes, said Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff.
At Gov. Edward G. Rendell’s direction, the department implemented additional resources for weight and measurement device inspection last December, including 22 additional inspectors and staff equipped with laptop computers.
“Pennsylvania consumers and businesses rely on the accuracy of weighing and measuring devices to ensure they are getting exactly what they pay for,” said Wolff. “These enhancements have improved the efficiency of the state’s inspection process, strengthening our inspection program and helping to maintain fair commerce across the state.”
The department’s 37 inspectors – including 18 new inspectors and supervisors – are current and on schedule with fuel pump inspections, having inspected more than 41,500 gas pumps at more than 4,000 establishments since January. Of those, 6,000 failed to pass their first inspection, but passed follow-up inspections.
Reasons for inspection failure can include inaccuracies in fuel dispensing or equipment problems, like worn out hoses and broken display panels.
“Often, a pump will not pass our initial inspection for reasons unrelated to accuracy,” said John Dillabaugh, director for the Bureau of Ride and Measurement Standards. “We’re quick to follow up on failed inspections of any type, because it’s important that pumps be mechanically sound to ensure consumer confidence.”
In addition, a new weights and measures hotline is available, providing consumers the opportunity to register complaints or concerns about scales, gas pumps and other state-regulated commercial measuring devices by calling 1-877-TEST-007.
All scales, ranging from small-retail to large-capacity truck scales, truck-mounted fuel meters, liquid-petroleum gas meters, retail fuel pumps and all consumer scanning systems must be inspected annually.
State law was changed in 1996 to allow counties to discontinue their own inspection programs and transfer those responsibilities to the state. Since the enactment of Act 155, 41 counties have been added to the state’s inspection program. The state is now responsible for inspections in 46 of the 67 counties.
To register a complaint about fuel pumps or other weights and measures devices, visit here and click on ‘Bureaus,’ then ‘Ride and Measurement Standards,’ or call 1-877-TEST-007 (1-877-8378-007).