By Chris Aldridge

Kentucky Ag News

FRANKFORT - The first week of March each year is designated as National Weights and Measures Week to commemorate the signing of the nation’s first weights and measures law signed by former President John Adams on March 2, 1799. The signing was a commitment to fairness, accuracy and trust in commerce, which is exactly what the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s (KDA) Weights & Measures team strives for each and every day on the job. 

The Weights & Measures Branch is part of KDA’s Office of Consumer & Environmental Protection, and as its name states, protecting consumers is a big part of what it does. One of the issues inspectors have encountered lately is inaccurate scanners at two national discount retail stores in locations across Kentucky. 

“The price on the shelf needs to match (the scanned amount),” said Heath Higdon, who manages the Weights and Measure Branch. “We inspect those scanners to check to see if they (customers) are paying what the product is priced at (on the shelf).” 

Bar code scanners are just one thing KDA inspects that few people are aware of.  

“A lot of people think we only inspect gas pumps,” Higdon said. “They don’t know that we inspect (amusement) rides and many other things.” 

KDA tests around 68,000 gas pumps across the state annually for accuracy and the fuel they dispense for quality. 

“The new (gas) pumps are more accurate,” Higdon said. “With technology, things have gotten better, but anything mechanical can fail.” 

Following is a list of other things that KDA inspects: 

• Eggs, which are candled (backlit) for cracks and their grade is verified. 

• Scales, everything from large industrial and livestock scales to small scales, such as those that weigh the cuts of meat packaged and sold in grocery stores. 

• Product packages, such as those cuts of meat, which are verified that their weight, volume, and count are labeled correctly. 

• Meters, such as liquid propane and farm milk tanks. 

• Service agency registration: Companies and individuals who install, adjust, or recondition commercial weighing and measuring devices must register with KDA. 

• Metrology lab: Kentucky Metrology Laboratories checks and maintains the accuracy of the equipment used to set up, monitor, inspect, and repair all types of scales and meters throughout the state. 

• Limestone: The Limestone Inspection Program provides analysis of agricultural grade limestone, and those selling it must be licensed with KDA. 

• Grain: The Kentucky Grain Insurance Fund provides $3 million in insurance coverage for producers. KDA audits licensed grain businesses’ financial records to ensure solvency and that Kentucky farmers are paid for their grain in case of a business failure. 

• Tobacco sales: Annual random, unannounced inspections of retail establishments are performed where tobacco products are sold to prevent their purchase by anyone younger than 21. 

• Amusement rides, such as those at the annual Kentucky State Fair and other fairs and carnivals throughout the state, as well as amusement parks. KDA also inspects inflatables, go-cart tracks, and water parks. 

“I’ve got the biggest group (46 inspectors when fully staffed) in the Department (of Agriculture), and I think I’ve got one of the best groups,” Higdon said. “They’re not only among the hardest working; They’re one of the most important. 

“It’s hard for anybody not to be affected every day by something Weights & Measures inspects,” he added proudly.