Major Work Activity A - Performs common occupational skills

Table of contents

• Task A-1 Performs safety-related functions
  • A-1.01 Maintains safe work environment
  • A-1.02 Uses personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety equipment
  • A-1.03 Performs de-energizing, lock-out and tag-out procedures
• Task A-2 Uses tools and equipment
  • A-2.01 Uses calibration, configuration and test equipment
  • A-2.02 Uses hand and power tools
  • A-2.03 Uses access equipment
  • A-2.04 Uses rigging, hoisting and lifting equipment
• Task A-3 Organizes work
  • A-3.01 Uses documentation
  • A-3.02 Interprets drawings and schematics
  • A-3.03 Plans tasks
• Task A-4 Uses communication and mentoring techniques
  • A-4.01 Uses communication techniques
  • A-4.02 Uses mentoring techniques

Task A-1 Performs safety-related functions

Task descriptor

Instrumentation and control technicians must ensure a safe work environment by complying with safety regulations and procedures. They use personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety equipment to ensure their safety and that of others. They also use de-energizing, lock-out and tag-out procedures to ensure safe conditions when working on equipment.

Range of variables

• safety procedures include: fall arrest, job safety hazard assessment (JSHA), confined space procedures
• potential hazards include: high voltage, rotating equipment, nuclear radiation, hazardous gases, environmental extremes, working at heights, noisy locations, arc flash, confined space, temperature extremes, discharge/spills
• WHMIS procedures include: disposal, labelling, using PPE
• safety mechanisms include: double-block-and-bleed, railings, tie-offs, SWP

Range of variables

• potential hazards include: high voltage, rotating equipment, nuclear radiation, hazardous gases, environmental extremes, working at heights, noisy locations, arc flash, confined space, temperature extremes, discharge/spills
• workplace safety and health regulations include: WHMIS, transportation of dangerous goods (TDG), jurisdictional health and safety acts
• training requirements include: fall protection, confined space entry, hoisting and rigging and elevated work platforms, hazardous gas awareness
• work permit and safe work analysis requirements include: JSHA, SWP, lock-out and tag-out procedures, hot work permits, field level risk assessment (FLRA)

Range of variables

• PPE includes: safety glasses, safety boots, gloves, coveralls, face shields, personal monitors, hearing protection, hard hats, arc flash protection, respirators, fall protection harness, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
• damage includes: excessively worn boots, cracked safety glasses, expired hard hats, safety harness integrity
• safety equipment includes: first aid kits, fire extinguishers, eye wash stations, chemical showers

Range of variables

• PPE includes: safety glasses, safety boots, gloves, coveralls, face shields, personal monitors, hearing protection, hard hats, arc flash protection, respirators, fall protection harness, SCBA
• safety equipment includes: first aid kits, fire extinguishers, eye wash stations, chemical showers

Range of variables

• sources of potential energy include: suspended weight, trapped pressure, electrical potential, radiation sources
• isolation points include: valves, blinds/blanks on piping systems, brakes, motor control centre (MCC), local disconnects and breakers

Range of variables

• methods for de-energizing system include: relieving pressure, removing electrical potential, applying grounds, releasing brakes
• equipment that can be energized and de-energized includes: electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, nuclear

Task A-2 Uses tools and equipment

Task descriptor

Instrumentation and control technicians must be able to select, use and maintain tools and equipment in a safe and effective manner relevant to the task performed.

Range of variables

• calibration and test equipment includes: multimeters, process calibrators (temperature, pressure, frequency), hand-held communicators, dead weight testers, networking/communication testers
• configuration equipment includes: hand-held communicators, computers, associated software

Range of variables

• configuration equipment includes: hand-held communicators, computers, associated software
• calibration and test equipment includes: multimeters, process calibrators (temperature, pressure, frequency), hand-held communicators, dead weight testers, networking/communication testers

Range of variables

• hand and power tools include: see Tools and Equipment (Appendix B)
• components include: chucks, bits, blades, cords, attachment plugs

Range of variables

• hand and power tools include: see Tools and Equipment (Appendix B)
• components include: chucks, bits, blades, cords, attachment plugs

Range of variables

• potential hazards include: overhead hazards, ladder footing and stability, confined spaces, trenches, slips, trips and falls
• access equipment includes: ladders, elevated work platforms, scaffolding, fall protection (fall arrest and fall restraint)
• damage includes: broken ladder, leaking oil, defective safety chains and gates, fall protection integrity

Range of variables

• access equipment includes: ladders, elevated work platforms, scaffolding, fall protection (fall arrest and fall restraint)
• regulatory requirements include: inspection documentation, training and certification

Range of variables

• potential hazards include: overhead hazards, overhead power hazards, dropped loads, damaged rigging hardware, congested worksites, confined spaces, trenches, uneven surfaces, weather conditions
• damages include: worn slings, worn shackles, missing or distorted safety catches, frayed ropes and slings, oil leaks

Range of variables

• types of rigging equipment include: chains, ropes, cables, slings, shackles
• potential hazards include: overhead hazards, overhead power hazards, dropped loads, damaged rigging hardware, congested worksites, confined spaces, trenches, uneven surfaces, weather conditions
• material handling equipment includes: pallet jacks, forklifts, portable or stationary cranes and rigging equipment
• regulatory requirements include: inspection documentation, training, certification
• considerations include: load characteristics, working load limit (WLL), equipment and accessories, environmental factors, anchor points, sling angles
• procedures used to communicate include: hand signals, electronic communications, audible/visual

Task A-3 Organizes work

Task descriptor

Instrumentation and control technicians organize work effectively using tools and procedures. They interpret and update drawing schematics and documentation to access information required for their work. Instrumentation and control technicians plan and coordinate their tasks with other trades and services when required. They also ensure work site, tools and equipment are prepared prior to performing tasks.

Range of variables

• documentation includes: calibration sheets, data sheets, drawings, work orders, maintenance schedules
• asset management systems include: work orders, preventative maintenance programs, instrument databases

Range of variables

• documentation includes: calibration sheets, data sheets, drawings, work orders, maintenance schedules
• standards and codes include: International Society of Automation (ISA) standards, Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards, Canadian Electrical Code (CEC), site-specific standards

Range of variables

• information contained in drawings and schematics includes: lines, legends, symbols, abbreviations, notes, specifications, metric and Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) dimensions
• types of drawings include:mechanical, plant layout, process equipment details, process, process and instrument diagrams/process and control (P&ID/P&C), Scientific Apparatus Makers Association (SAMA), loop drawings, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, orthographic, isometric, schematics, wiring diagrams, as-builts, logic

Range of variables

• task requirements include: job planning, safety procedures planning, permits, emergency protocols, commissioning
• MOC procedures include: authorized sign-offs, traceability, quality control/quality assurance, equipment replacement
• factors include: criticality, operational needs, manufacturers’ recommendations
• activities include: hazard assessment, environmental assessment, setting up barricades

Range of variables

• sources of information include: documentation, drawings, related professionals, clients
• task requirements include: job planning, safety procedures planning, permits, emergency protocols, commissioning
• MOC procedures include: authorized sign-offs, traceability, quality control/quality assurance, equipment replacement
• forms include: bill of materials, purchase orders, material requisitions, MOC documents
• environment includes: hazardous designations, ambient conditions, contamination

Task A-4 Uses communication and mentoring techniques

Task descriptor

Learning in the trades is done primarily in the workplace with tradespersons passing on their skills and knowledge to apprentices, as well as sharing knowledge among themselves. Apprenticeship is, and always has been about mentoring – learning workplace skills and passing them on. Because of the importance of this to the trade, this task covers the activities related to communication in the workplace and mentoring skills.

Range of variables

• active listening includes: hearing, interpreting, reflecting, responding, paraphrasing

Range of variables

• people in the workplace include: other tradespersons, colleagues, apprentices, supervisors, clients, authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ), manufacturers
• sources of information include: regulations, codes, occupational health and safety requirements, AHJ requirements, prints, drawings, specifications, company and client documentation
• learning styles include: seeing it, hearing it, trying it
• personal responsibilities and attitudes include: asking questions, working safely, accepting constructive feedback, time management and punctuality, respect for authority, good stewardship of materials, tools and property, efficient work practice
• harassment includes: objectionable conduct, comment or display made either on a one-time or continuous basis that demeans, belittles, or causes personal humiliation or embarrassment to the recipient
• discrimination is prohibited based on: race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, disability, genetic characteristics, pardoned conviction
• code of conduct includes: ethics, policies regarding conflict of interest, respectful workplace

Range of variables

• steps required to demonstrate a skill include: understanding the who, what, where, when, why, and how, explaining, showing, giving encouragement, following up to ensure skill is performed correctly
• practice conditions means: guided, limited independence, full independence
• harassment includes: objectionable conduct, comment or display made either on a one-time or continuous basis that demeans, belittles, or causes personal humiliation or embarrassment to the recipient
• discrimination is prohibited based on: race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, disability, genetic characteristics, pardoned conviction

Range of variables

• essential skills are: reading, document use, writing, oral communication, numeracy, thinking, working with others, digital technology, continuous learning
• learning styles include: seeing it, hearing it, trying it
• learning needs include: learning disabilities, learning preferences, language proficiency
• strategies to assist in learning a skill include: understanding the basic principles of instruction, developing coaching skills, being mature and patient, providing feedback
• teaching skills include: identifying the point of the lesson, linking the lesson, demonstrating the skill, providing practice, giving feedback, assessing skills and progress, demonstrating empathy
• harassment includes: objectionable conduct, comment or display made either on a one-time or continuous basis that demeans, belittles, or causes personal humiliation or embarrassment to the recipient
• discrimination is prohibited based on: race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, disability, genetic characteristics, pardoned conviction
• code of conduct includes: ethics, policies regarding conflict of interest, respectful workplace

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