[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 9, Volume 2]
[Revised as of January 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 9CFR201.108-1]

[Page 26-29]
 
                  TITLE 9--ANIMALS AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS
 
  CHAPTER II--GRAIN INSPECTION, PACKERS AND STOCKYARDS ADMINISTRATION 
       (PACKERS AND STOCKYARDS PROGRAMS),DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 201--REGULATIONS UNDER THE PACKERS AND STOCKYARDS ACT--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 201.108-1  Instructions for weighing live poultry.

    Live poultry dealers who operate scales on which live poultry is 
weighed for purposes of purchase, sale, acquisition, or settlement are 
responsible for the accurate weighing of such poultry. They shall supply 
copies of the instructions in this section to all persons who perform 
weighing operations for them and direct such persons to familiarize 
themselves with the instructions and to comply with them at all times. 
This section shall also apply to any additional weighers who are 
employed at any time. Weighers must acknowledge their receipt of these 
instructions and agree to comply with them by signing in duplicate, a 
form provided by the Packers and Stockyards Programs, Grain Inspection, 
Packers and Stockyards Administration. One copy of this form is to be 
filed with a regional office of the Packers and Stockyards Programs, 
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration and the other 
copy retained by the Agency employing the weighers. The following 
instructions shall be applicable to the weighing of live poultry on all 
scales, except that paragraph (c)(1) of this section is only applicable 
to the weighing of live poultry on vehicle scales.
    (a) Balancing the empty scale. (1) The scale shall be maintained in 
zero balance at all times. The empty scale shall be balanced each day 
before weighing begins and thereafter its zero balance shall be verified 
before any poultry is weighed. In addition, the zero balance of the 
scale shall be verified whenever a weigher resumes weighing duties after 
an absence from the scale.
    (2) Before balancing the empty scale, the weigher shall notify 
parties outside the scale house of his/her intention and shall be 
assured that no persons or vehicles are in contact with the platform. 
When the empty scale is balanced and ready for weighing, the weigher 
shall so indicate by appropriate signal.
    (3) Weighbeam scales shall be balanced by first seating each poise 
securely in its zero notch and then moving the balance ball to such 
position that a correct zero balance is obtained. A scale equipped with 
a balance indicator is correctly balanced when the indicator comes to 
rest in the center of the target area. A scale not equipped with a 
balance indicator is correctly

[[Page 27]]

balanced if the weighbeam, when released at the top or bottom of the 
trig loop, swings freely in the trig loop in such manner that it will 
come to rest at the center of the trig loop.
    (4) Dial scales shall be balanced by releasing all drop weights and 
operating the balance ball or other balancing device to obtain a correct 
zero balance. The indicator must visibly indicate zero on the dial 
reading face and the ticket printer must record a correct zero balance. 
``Balance tickets'' shall be filed with other scale tickets issued on 
that date.
    (5) Electronic digital scales should be properly warmed up before 
use. In most cases it is advisable to leave the electric power on 
continuously. The zero balance shall be verified by recording the zero 
balance on a scale ticket. The main indicating element and the remote 
visual weight display shall indicate zero when the balance is verified. 
The proper procedure for balancing this type of scale will vary 
according to the manufacturer. Refer to the operator's manual for 
specific instructions.
    (6) A balance ball or other balancing device shall be operated only 
when balancing the empty scale and shall not be operated at any time or 
for any other purpose.
    (7) The time at which the empty scale is balanced or its zero 
balance verified shall be marked on scale tickets or other permanent 
records.
    (b) Sensitivity control. (1) A scale must be sensitive in response 
to platform loading if it is to yield accurate weights. It, therefore, 
is the duty of a weigher to assure himself that interferences, weighbeam 
friction, or other factors do not impair sensitivity. He shall satisfy 
himself, at least twice each day, that the scale is sufficiently 
sensitive, and, if the following requirements are not met, he must 
report the facts to his superior or employer immediately.
    (2) A weighbeam scale with a balance indicator is sufficiently 
sensitive if, when the scale is balanced with the indicator at the 
center of the target, movement of the fractional poise one graduation 
will change the indicator rest point (\1/4\) inch (0.25) or the width of 
the central target area, whichever is greater.
    (3) A weighbeam scale without a balance indicator is sufficiently 
sensitive if, when the scale is balanced with the weighbeam at the 
center of the trig loop, movement of the fractional poise two 
graduations will cause the weighbeam to come to rest at the bottom of 
the trig loop.
    (4) Adjustable damping devices are incorporated in balance 
indicators and in dial scales to absorb the effects of load impact and 
to bring the indicator to rest. The weigher must be familiar with the 
location and adjustment of these damping devices and keep them so 
adjusted that when the indicator is displaced from a position of rest, 
it will oscillate freely through at least one complete cycle of movement 
before coming to rest at its original position.
    (5) Friction at weighbeam bearings may reduce the sensitiveness of 
the scale, cause sluggish weighbeam action and affect weighing accuracy. 
A weigher must inspect the weighbeam assembly daily to make certain that 
there is clearance between the weighbeam and the pivot bearings.
    (6) Interferences or binding of the scale platform, or other 
``live'' parts of the scale, are common causes of weighing inaccuracy. A 
weigher shall satisfy himself, at the beginning of each weighing period, 
that all such ``live'' parts have sufficient clearance to prevent 
interference.
    (c) Weighing the load. (1) Vehicle scales used to weigh live poultry 
shall be of sufficient length and capacity to weigh an entire vehicle as 
a unit; provided, that a trailer may be uncoupled from a tractor and 
weighed as a single unit. Before weighing a vehicle, either coupled or 
uncoupled, the weigher shall be assured that the entire vehicle is on 
the scale platform and that no persons are on the scale platform.
    (i) On a weighbeam scale with a balance indicator the weight of a 
vehicle shall be determined by moving the poises to such positions that 
the indicator will come to rest within the central target area.
    (ii) On a weighbeam scale without a balance indicator the weight 
shall be determined by moving the poises to such positions that the 
weighbeam, when released from the top or bottom of the trig loop, will 
swing freely in the

[[Page 28]]

trig loop and come to rest at the approximate center of the trig loop.
    (iii) On a dial scale the weight of a vehicle is indicated 
automatically when the indicator revolves around the dial face and comes 
to rest.
    (iv) On an electronic digital scale the weight of a vehicle is 
indicated automatically when the weight value indicated is stable.
    (2) The correct weight is the value in pounds indicated by a 
weighbeam, dial or digital scale when a stable load balance is obtained. 
In any case, the weigher should concentrate on the beam tip, balance 
indicator, dial or digital indicator while weighing and not be concerned 
with reading the visible weight indications until a stable load balance 
is obtained. On electronic digital scales, the weigher should 
concentrate on the pulsing or flickering of weight values to assure that 
the unit indicates a stable weight before activating the print button.
    (d) Recording the weight. (1) The gross or tare weight shall be 
recorded immediately after the load balance is obtained and before any 
poises are moved or load removed from the scale platform. The weigher 
shall make certain that the printed weight record agrees with the weight 
value visibly indicated on the weighbeam, dial or digital indicator when 
correct load balance is obtained. The weigher shall also assure that the 
printed weight value is sufficiently distinct and legible.
    (2) The weight printing device on a scale shall be operated only to 
produce a printed or impressed record of the weight while the load is on 
the scale and correctly balanced. If the weight is not printed clearly 
and correctly, the ticket shall be marked void and a new one printed 
before the load is removed from the scale.
    (e) Weigher's responsibilities. (1) The primary responsibility of a 
weigher is to determine and record the true weight of live poultry 
without prejudice or favor to any person or agency and without regard 
for poultry ownership, price, condition, shrink, or other 
considerations. A weigher shall not permit the representations or 
attitudes of any persons or agencies to influence their judgment or 
action in performing his/her duties.
    (2) Scale tickets issued shall be serially numbered and used in 
numerical sequence. Sufficient copies shall be executed to provide a 
copy to all parties to the transaction. Unused scale tickets or those 
which are partially executed shall not be left exposed or accessible to 
other parties. All such tickets shall be kept under lock when the 
weigher is not at his duty station.
    (3) Accurate weighing and weight recording require that a weigher 
shall not permit operations to be hurried to the extent that inaccurate 
weights or incorrect weight records may result. The gross, tare and net 
weights must be determined accurately to the nearest minimum graduation. 
Manual operations connected with balancing, weighing, and recording 
shall be performed with the care necessary to prevent damage to the 
accurately machined and adjusted parts of weighbeams, poises, and 
printing devices. Rough handling of these parts shall be avoided.
    (4) Poultry growers, live poultry dealers, sellers, or others having 
legitimate interest in a load of poultry are entitled to observe the 
balancing, weighing, and recording procedures. A weigher shall not deny 
such persons that right or withhold from them any information pertaining 
to the weight. The weigher shall check the zero balance of the scale or 
reweigh a load of poultry when requested by such parties or duly 
authorized representatives of the administrator.
    (f) General precautions. (1) The poises of weighbeam scales are 
carefully adjusted and sealed to a definite weight at the factory and 
any change in that weight seriously affects weighing accuracy. A 
weigher, therefore, shall observe if poise parts are broken, loose or 
lost or if material is added to a poise and shall report any such 
condition to his/her superior or employer. Balancing or weighing shall 
not be performed while a scale ticket is in the slot of a weighbeam 
poise.
    (2) Stops are provided on scale weighbeams to prevent movement of 
poises back of the zero graduation when balancing or weighing. When the 
stops become worn or broken and allow a poise to be set behind the zero 
position, this condition must be reported

[[Page 29]]

by the weigher to their superior or employer and corrected without 
delay.
    (3) Motion detection circuits are a part of electronic scales. They 
are designed to prevent the printing of weight values if the load has 
not stabilized within prescribed limits. The weighmaster's duty is to 
print the actual weight of the load within these limits. This requires 
printing the actual weight of the load, not one of the other weights 
that may be within the motion detection limits.
    (4) Foreign objects or loose material in the form of nuts, bolts, 
washers, or other material on any part of the weighbeam assembly, 
including the counter-balance hanger or counter-balance weights, are 
potential sources of weighing error. Loose balancing material must be 
enclosed in the shot cup of the counter-balance hanger and counter-
balance weights must not be of the slotted type which can readily be 
removed.
    (5) Whenever, for any reason, a weigher has reason to believe that a 
scale is not functioning properly or not yielding correct weight values, 
the weigher shall discontinue weighing, report the facts to the parties 
responsible for scale maintenance and request inspection, test or repair 
of the scale.
    (6) When a scale has been adjusted, modified, or repaired in any 
manner which can affect the accuracy of weighing or weight recording, 
the weigher shall not use the scale until it has been tested and 
inspected and found to be accurate.

[37 FR 4955, Mar. 8, 1972, as amended at 61 FR 36282, July 10, 1996]