Trades Access
COMMON CORE
Line D: Organizational Skills
Competency D-6: Plan Projects
Acknowledgments and Copyright
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© Camosun College. The Trades Access Common Core resources are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Unported Licence ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ), except where otherwise noted. Under this licence, any user of this textbook or the textbook contents herein must provide proper attribution as follows:
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BCcampus would like to acknowledge the following individuals and organizations for their contributions in producing the Trades Access Common Core Open Textbook resources.
BCcampus
Open Education Team
Hilda Anggraeni, Graphics
Camosun College
Olaf Nielsen, Chair, Trades Development and Special Projects, School of Trades and Technology
Nannette Plant, Manager, Enterprise Point Operations & Special Projects, Office of the VP Strategic Development
Rod Lidstone, Instructor, Plumbing and Pipe Trades, Lead Writer/Reviewer
Brian Coey, Instructor, Sheet Metal and Metal Fabrication, Writer/Reviewer
Matt Zeleny, Camosun Innovates, 3D imaging
Open School BC
Monique Brewer, Director
Adrian Hill, Instructional Designer
Dennis Evans, Image Coordinator, Photographer, Graphics, Production Technician (layout)
Farrah Patterson, Production Technician
Industry Training Authority of BC
The ITA works with employers, employees, industry, labour, training providers, and government to issue credentials, manage apprenticeships, set program standards, and increase opportunities in approximately 100 BC trades. Among its many functions are oversight of the development of training resources that align with program standards, outlines, and learning objectives, and authorizing permission to utilize these resources (text and images).
Erin Johnston, Director of Training Delivery
Cory Williams, Manager, Industry Relations
Publishing Services, Queen’s Printer
Spencer Tickner, Director of QP Publishing Services
Dwayne Gordon, Manager, Electronic Publishing
October 2015, Version 1
To order print copies of any of the Trades Access Common Core resources, please contact us:
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Ilona Ugro, Copyright Officer, Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services,
Province of British Columbia
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Cover photo:
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Foreword
The BC Open Textbook Project began in 2012 with the goal of making post-secondary education in British Columbia more accessible by reducing student cost through the use of openly licensed textbooks. The BC Open Textbook Project is administered by BCcampus and is funded by the British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education.
Open textbooks are open educational resources (OER); they are instructional resources created and shared in ways so that more people have access to them. This is a different model than traditionally copyrighted materials. OER are defined as teaching, learning, and research resources that reside in the public domain or have been released under an intellectual property licence that permits their free use and repurposing by others (Hewlett Foundation). Our open textbooks are openly licensed using a Creative Commons licence, and are offered in various e-book formats free of charge, or as printed books that are available at cost. For more information about this project, please contact opentext@bccampus.ca. If you are an instructor who is using this book for a course, please let us know.
Preface
The concept of identifying and creating resources for skills that are common to many trades has a long history in the Province of British Columbia. This collection of Trades Access Common Core (TACC) resources was adapted from the 15 Trades Common Core line modules co-published by the Industry Training and Apprenticeship Commission (ITAC) and the Centre for Curriculum Transfer and Technology (C2T2) in 2000-2002. Those modules were revisions of the original Common Core portion of the TRAC modules prepared by the Province of British Columbia Ministry of Post-Secondary Education in 1986. The TACC resources are still in use by a number of trades programs today and, with the permission from the Industry Training Authority (ITA), have been utilized in this project.
These open resources have been updated and realigned to match many of the line and competency titles found in the Province of BC’s trades apprenticeship program outlines. A review was carried out to analyze the provincial program outlines of a number of trades, with the intent of finding common entry-level learning tasks that could be assembled into this package. This analysis provided the template for the outline used to update the existing modules. Many images found in ITA apprentice training modules were also incorporated into these resources to create books that are similar to what students will see when they continue their chosen trades training. The project team has also taken many new photographs for this project, which are available for use in other trades training resources.
The following list of lines and competencies was generated with the goal of creating an entry-level trades training resource, while still offering the flexibility for lines to be used as stand-alone books. This flexibility—in addition to the textbook content being openly licensed—allows these resources to be used within other contexts as well. For example, instructors or institutions may incorporate these resources into foundation-level trades training programming or within an online learning management system (LMS).
Line A – Safe Work Practices
Line B – Employability Skills
Line C – Tools and Equipment
Line D – Organizational Skills
Line E – Electrical Fundamentals
All of these textbooks are available in a variety of formats in addition to print:
All of the self-test questions are also available from BCcampus as separate data, if instructors would like to use the questions for online quizzes or competency testing.
About This Book
In an effort to make this book a flexible resource for trainers and learners, the following features are included:
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Safety Advisory
Be advised that references to the Workers’ Compensation Board of British Columbia safety regulations contained within these materials do not/may not reflect the most recent Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. The current Standards and Regulation in BC can be obtained at the following website: http://www.worksafebc.com.
Please note that it is always the responsibility of any person using these materials to inform him/herself about the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation pertaining to his/her area of work.
BCcampus
January 2015
Disclaimer
The materials in the Trades Access Common Core Open Textbook project are for use by students and instructional staff and have been compiled from sources believed to be reliable and to represent best current opinions on these subjects. These manuals are intended to serve as a starting point for good practices and may not specify all minimum legal standards. No warranty, guarantee or representation is made by BCcampus as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information contained in these publications. These manuals are intended to provide basic guidelines for trade practices. Do not assume, therefore, that all necessary warnings and safety precautionary measures are contained in this module and that other or additional measures may not be required.
Contents
Learning Task 1: Describe the organization of a project 9
Prioritizing and coordinating with other trades 11
Learning Task 2: Describe considerations when handling materials 17
Learning Task 3: Select procedures for handling materials 21
Every job is different and may have special requirements. Anticipating these requirements and planning accordingly is vital to ensuring that you have the materials, tools, and time to complete the job.
To do this effectively you will need to have a clear understanding of the overall job. You will need to know what materials are required and be able to record organized and accurate notes on the time and materials used when the job is complete.
Planning ahead saves time and money and makes a job more profitable. Effectively managing time and resources, including materials, and keeping detailed notes is very important whether you are working for another company or on your own. It allows your company to be more competitive and also provides a good base for estimating the costs of similar jobs in the future.
When you have completed the Learning Tasks in this Competency, you will be able to:
You will be required to reference publications and videos available online.
Describe the organization of a project
All jobs differ in degree of complexity, partly due to the sector they are in: residential, commercial, or industrial. Depending on the size of the project, the planning process will be more or less complex.
Planning work must be done daily in conjunction with forepersons, supervisors, and other trades workers on the job. Time pressures may become intense and interruptions from others can result in frequent stops and starts to a project. Planning and organizing can vary from job to job, but there are some commonalities among them.
Most projects begin with a set of drawings called blueprints or prints. They will include drawings of electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems and all construction details. The prints have detailed drawings of specific information for the construction of the project. A written form of the information will accompany the drawings—a document called project specifications.
Project specifications outline everything required to complete the project. They provide a detailed description of the work, materials, and techniques that should be used throughout the work. For large projects, project specifications can often be the size of a book and can change frequently, particularly at the onset of a project. The text of the specifications allows the engineer or designer to be very specific about the construction process and the products used. It is important to be familiar with the specifications to begin the planning process.
Schedules
Within the specifications will be a series of schedules. Schedules provide information about building components to be installed. Using schedules is an efficient way to lay out the specifications for products like doors and windows. The item can be put in the schedule once, and then it can appear in the drawings multiple times as a symbol instead of dimensions and details that would overcrowd the drawing.
For example, think of how many doors are in your home. If all details were shown in the drawing, it would quickly become very congested. Figure 1 shows a typical door schedule.
Door |
Frame |
Threshold |
Weather STR |
Remarks |
||||||
Type |
Size (W × H × T) |
Mat. |
Core |
Fin. |
Closer |
Mat. |
Fin. |
|||
A |
750 × 2100 × 45 |
Alum. |
Hollow |
Anod. |
YES |
Alum. |
Anod. |
YES |
YES |
Double glazed |
B |
810 × 2100 × 45 |
DO |
DO |
PT. |
NO |
Steel |
PT |
YES |
NO |
Lock and key |
C |
910 × 2030 × 45 |
Wood |
DO |
DO |
DO |
DO |
DO |
NO |
DO |
|
D |
610 × 2030 × 45 |
DO |
Solid |
DO |
DO |
DO |
DO |
YES |
DO |
|
E |
750 × 2100 × 35 |
DO |
Hollow |
DO |
DO |
Wood |
DO |
NO |
DO |
|
F |
810 × 2100 × 35 |
DO |
DO |
DO |
DO |
DO |
DO |
DO |
DO |
|
G |
910 × 2030 × 35 |
DO |
DO |
DO |
DO |
DO |
DO |
DO |
DO |
A permit is an official document that states that a specific construction activity has been approved and is permitted. Many projects require you to apply for one or more permits from the local municipality or other authority. This issuing authority will also inspect the work and enforce the requirements of the permit.
The permits issued for building construction range from development permits to occupancy permits. The purpose of permits and building regulations is to ensure the safety of the general public.
The application process for a permit can range from a few weeks to months or even years, depending on the scale of the project. Checking with the local authority on the permit process for the project should be one of the first tasks done. Drawings, specifications, and other documentation may have to accompany the application, so knowing the permit process is very important to the planning process. Some jobs that require permits are any electrical, gas, demolition, or structural work.
Completing work without having the proper permits can result in a job site being shut down for weeks or months, and can result in fines, project delays, and additional costs for materials and supplies.
Safety is always the highest priority on a job site. Before any work commences, a work site safety survey should be conducted. Even on small jobs, you must first assess the job site and identify any hazards. For example, some jobs require power lines to be de-energized or removed completely in order to complete a project. Every day before work begins, a scan for hazards on the job site should be conducted. Any identified hazards should be addressed before starting work.
A work order helps keep the project organized. This is a document that describes the job to be completed. It includes issues or repairs to be addressed or installation details for an item. It is usually an internal company document that allows the company to organize its own schedule. If the job must be completed by a certain date or within a specific time frame, the work order will specify this information.
A change order is used to change the original scope of work—either an addition or deletion of something. It may alter the original contract amount and/or completion date. Change orders are common in projects that are large in size and scope.
The following are some common reasons for requiring a change order:
A request for information (RFI) form is used to clarify the interpretation of a detail, specification, product, or process as it relates to the project. For example, an RFI could be submitted by a contractor to confirm a piece of equipment that was unclear in the specifications, or to state the poor design of a system. If some detail has been overlooked earlier in the process, an RFI can be used to bring attention to the issue. It can result in a change order being issued if a problem is identified.
Prioritizing and coordinating with other trades
Part of the planning process is coordinating and scheduling the various trades on a project site. Some work must be done before other work, and the schedules of all of the trades on a job site need to be prioritized. For example, there would be no sense having drywall installed before an electrician completes wiring a room, or completing jobs that require the use of large-scale heavy-duty equipment after the final surface of a road has been applied. Every job must follow a specific sequence, and delays or changes in one aspect of the project can have an impact on one or several other trades.
Working with other trades is not only about scheduling. It is common to find that one trade’s work will affect another trade and may require some modifications to how a job is completed. For example, if a plumber and a sheet metal worker are both trying to access a pipe in the same location, one will have to adjust the design of their system to avoid overlap. Conflicts like this can add time to the job, so it is important to look for any potential problems early in the project.
Estimating materials needed for a job is an important part of the planning process. A contractor needs to price all materials to be used in order to submit a price for the job. A contractor will go through drawings, specifications, schedules, and any other documentation available in order to gather as much information as possible to make the estimate.
Additional items that do not appear in drawings but which are required for a job are called takeoffs. A drawing of a plumbing line may show the line extending between two points, but it does not necessarily list the number of tees, branches, or other fittings required to install the line. These items are called takeoffs because they are taken off the drawing.
As another example, contractors must determine the number and types of light fixtures for a job, which are then built into his or her estimate. The contractor uses this information to calculate how much will be charged, the total bid, to complete the job.
When planning for a job, it is very important to have all the tools and equipment that will be needed. Time is wasted if you have to go back and forth picking up items once the job has started. Make a list and think of the job you are going to be doing before you leave for the job site. Review the list with your colleagues to see if anything has been missed. Keep your list and check things off as you load them to take to the site.
When beginning a job, it is important to plan for the tools, equipment, and materials that will be kept at the job site. Storage security, delivery schedules, labelling, and consumables are a few examples of details that need to be addressed before a job begins.
Secure storage
On-the-job storage can be as simple as a lockbox or as complex as a portable building. The size of the job will determine what type of storage is required. The supplies and equipment must be secure to prevent theft and vandalism, as well as to ensure the safety of the public. For example, if a power tool is left accessible and someone who is unfamiliar with it tries to use it, liability issues could arise if an accident were to occur.
Delivery schedules
Deliveries must be scheduled well in advance of a job beginning. It can take considerable time to order certain items. As well, delivery of the items need to be scheduled at the appropriate times for the job. If the job has different stages of completion, the items need to be delivered to match those stages. For example, if you have completed the first stage of a job and then leave to work on another site for a week, it would not make sense to have the materials scheduled for delivery during your absence.
It is very important that someone be on the job site to receive the deliveries and check that all items are received and have no visible damage.
Labelling materials
On some jobs, materials may be delivered in parts and pieces. It is important to make sure that all parts have been received, and it can be a gruelling task to find where each different piece goes if they are not labelled and organized properly. Consider a sheet metal worker installing a heating system. There may be 200 different parts to the system and many are similar but are different enough that they must be installed correctly according to the manufacturer’s or designer’s plans. Each piece should be labelled according to where in the system it will go; this may be done with numbers or codes.
Consumables
Consumables are materials or products that will eventually be used up. For example, a grinding disk is a consumable because it will wear out at some point. These items need to be stored and tracked on the job site. For example, if welding gas is needed regularly on site and no one checks the supply on hand, it will be very time consuming and costly to stop and find or order some if the supply runs out in the middle of a job.
Using a checklist is a very easy way to keep track of a job. It allows you to know what has been completed and the status of different tasks. The checklist should be updated frequently to keep the job well organized and to allow you to pinpoint what needs to be done. Continually going back to aspects of a job that have been done is a waste of time.
How well a job is managed can affect cost efficiencies and can be the difference between a profit or a loss. Efficiency is essential in industry today. Sometimes referred to as “lean construction,” working efficiently is a simple concept. It means working in a way where time, materials, and effort are not wasted. For example, if you are on a job site on the 10th floor of a building and are taking a break to go down for a coffee, it is efficient to take the time to check with your colleagues before you go if anything is needed from the storage area downstairs. If you don’t take the time to do this and then return to find out you need some additional supplies from your truck, it is a tremendous waste of time and effort. There are many ways to be well organized on the job, and some simple planning can help create an excellent cost-efficient job.
As-built drawings are done for many jobs. These are drawings that indicate any changes from the original drawing. They show the actual completed job exactly as it was built or done. For example, sometimes small changes are made, such as moving a pipe to get around a beam; this would be the type of change shown on the as-built drawing.
Now complete the Learning Task Self-Test.
Describe considerations when handling materials
Material handling refers to the movement, storage, security, and control of different items found on a job site. These items could be supplies, equipment, tools, or any other products used on the job.
There are many considerations involved with handling materials. Managing materials for a job is an important part of planning a project. From safety to time management to transportation to storage, efficiently dealing with the materials on the job can produce a profitable and successful result.
Every material-handling task can be different, and safety in the workplace is always a top priority. All workers and supervisors must take care to ensure safety practices are in place at every stage of handling different materials.
Everyone has a role to play in safety when handling and storing materials. Good housekeeping, proper lifting and loading procedures, and proper packaging are all important.
An unsafe job site is not only dangerous to the workers, it costs time and money. When handling materials for a job, it is important to do so safely. For example, if you are loading material such as lumber, it should be stacked neatly in a location where other workers will not be hindered by it. If the lumber is thrown into a chaotic and disorganized pile, it can become a tripping hazard.
The storage and accessibility of the materials on a job must be given some forethought. Consider again the example of stacking lumber: if you pile a bunch of lumber on top of some plywood and the plywood is needed first, you will be moving the lumber multiple times and wasting significant time and energy.
All material needs to be stored in an effective manner, keeping access and availability in mind. Thinking ahead and planning what will be needed at what point and ensuring that you have the right size of aisle in order to get to the materials will keep the job running efficiently. Storing material also requires considering weather conditions and security. Some materials can be stored outside and some may need to be in a climate-controlled or secure environment. Make sure the location of storage is suitable for the items.
Some job sites have on-site and/or remote security; however, many do not. Whether or not there is security on site, materials and equipment should always be stored in a secure location. The loss or theft of materials and equipment due to improper storage can be very costly and time consuming.
The proper timing and sequencing of material deliveries can make the handling of materials more efficient. If an item is not required on site for a couple of months, there is no reason to bring it to the job site until it is needed. Having too many items that are not immediately required can create a cluttered job site. And the more disorganized a job site is, the more handling of materials needs to be done. Moving items repeatedly can be avoided by properly timing and sequencing the delivery of the materials for the job.
Accidents and mishaps often occur during the transportation of materials. Always check the following:
Always check the load upon arrival and make sure it is safe to untie before unloading.
When materials need to be moved to higher floors of a building, hoists and rigs may be required. At times, a rope may be used to lift materials a short distance, but other materials require proper lifting equipment. Make sure you are familiar with the lifting equipment being used.
More detailed information on rigging and hoisting can be found in Competency C-3: Describe Rigging and Hoisting Equipment.
As discussed in Learning Task 1, some materials require labelling. When handling any materials, make sure the labels are visible. Take care not to scratch or damage the label when moving an item.
Some items may be very difficult to distinguish without the label intact. Some labels may indicate that a product is toxic or needs to be transported, stored, handled, and/or used in a specific way. Be sure to follow these instructions for the aspect of the job you are handling.
The proper disposal of all materials is a very important part of material handling. Some products may be hazardous, such as asbestos, and require controlled removal and disposal. You need to know what materials are being handled to decide on how to best dispose of or recycle them. Make sure you follow all local rules on the disposal and recycling of materials. Keep different materials separated so they can be easily disposed of. For example, wood and metal can both be recycled, but they need to be separated to do so.
Most municipalities have disposal and recycling programs, so check the local regulations.
Now complete the Learning Task Self-Test.
Select procedures for handling materials
Selecting the proper procedures for handling materials is critical. Hazardous materials must be handled following strictly controlled measures. Some other materials have no regulations but still need to be dealt with in a particular way.
It is particularly important to select the correct manner in which to handle hazardous materials. Moulds and asbestos are frequently encountered in construction and need to be taken very seriously. Figure 1 shows where asbestos may be present in a home.
Always make sure you know what the material is before you move or disturb it. If you are unsure, act cautiously. Material testing may be required to determine if there are hazards present.
WorkSafeBC sets the regulations on handling hazardous materials, so once you know what the material is you can research the proper procedure for handling it.
Watch the WorkSafeBC video “Asbestos Hazards in Renovations, Restorations, and Demolition”: https://youtu.be/PQd_UDBp8nA
There are many different procedures for handling material correctly, but a few simple rules should always be followed:
How materials are secured on a job site will depend on a few different factors. The materials being secured will vary in size and shape, as will the job site itself.
In some cases, you may have a job box in which to store small items. A job box is a steel storage box brought to a job site for an extended time. It should be located close to where you are doing your work because even though it is portable, it is not easy to move. If you are on a job working from floor to floor, you may only move it once each floor has been completed.
On larger jobs, a shipping container or portable building may be brought in. These are normally used on large jobs that last for many months or years.
Some materials may be secured by locking them to something solid in the building, such as a steel or concrete pillar. Ladders are a common item to lock up in this manner. Make sure that the materials to be left at a job site are secured to protect against theft and vandalism and are located out of the way of other workers.
Certain items will require packaging and shipping, and this requires great care. Damage to materials can easily occur if packaging is not done correctly. If a window installer is shipping glass, for example, it must be appropriately protected against breaking. Other items may have a painted finish that needs to be protected.
Now complete the Learning Task Self-Test.
Self-Test 1
Self-Test 2
Self-Test 3