BASIC COMPETENCY NO.

Program/Course: PLUMBING NC II

Unit of Competency:
PARTICIPATE IN WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION

This unit of competency covers the process of effectively participating in workplace

communications. It requires the ability to:

L.O. 1 Obtain and convey workplace information.

L.O. 2 Complete relevant work related documents.
L.O. 3 Participate in workplace meeting and discussion.

Participating in workplace communications also requires an understanding of:

 different modes of communication

 basic mathematical processes
 communication processes, systems and technologies.

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KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS

Active Listening
- techniques used by a listener that reassure the person speaking that the listener is giving them
their full attention and attending to what they are saying.

Appropriate Language
- speaking in a manner that is acceptable to the listener.

Basic Mathematical Processes

- arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Clarification
- an explanation that makes a statement easier to understand.

Conditions of Employment
- the terms under which a person works, such as working hours, rates of pay, duties to be carried
out and employer/employee responsibilities.

Cultural Diversity
- differences in experiences, personal attributes and perspectives that relate to ethnicity,
language, dress, religious belief and socio-economic background.

Effective Verbal Communication

- spoken exchanges of thoughts, messages or information that employ appropriate speech,
gestures, listening skills and an understanding of body language.

Enterprise Communication Procedures, Systems and Technology

- methods used in a business to exchange messages and information, including telephones,
letters, facsimiles, computers and radio systems.

Enterprise Requirements
- obligations of employees in a business, including methods used to report to supervisors and
organize, record and store information.

Locating and Storing Information

- finding relevant and specific facts and setting them aside for future use in manual or computer-
based filing systems.

Meeting Protocols
- procedures and codes of behavior used when employees, supervisors, employers and/or clients
gather together to share information, discuss problems and make decisions.

Modes of Communication
- methods of exchanging information, messages and thoughts.

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Personal Presentation
- the way in which a person appears to others, including their manner of dress, personal hygiene
and body language.

Reporting and Recording

- providing information to others about an event (reporting) and preparing a written account
(recording).

Types of Meetings
- Different types of gatherings of people convened formally or informally to share information,
discuss problems and make decisions.

Types of Teams
- different ways in which people are grouped together and organized to carry out a variety of work
tasks.

Verbal and Non-verbal Communication

- the exchange of information, messages and thoughts using spoken and non-spoken methods.

Workplace Forms
- documents used by businesses that relate to employment, sales, stock, financial information,
taxation, personnel, work records and messages.

Workplace Interaction
- the manner in which a member of a team conducts him/herself and communicates and works
with others.

Written Workplace Notices and Instructions

- announcements and directions given to employees in print form.

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INFORMATION SHEET No. 1

INTRODUCTION

Communication is the exchange of information, messages and thoughts. To be effective the

information must be communicated to the right person, at the right time and in the right manner.
The person receiving the information must also effectively listen, read and/or observe so they
understand the communication.

1. Barriers to effective communication include:

- our choice of channel, whether it be spoken or written word or by illustration

- our perception of the message and the perception of the receiver
- the self-esteem of both the sender and receiver
- the attitudes of both the sender and receiver
- the environment in which the communication is taking place.

2. Important components or points of a spoken communication are:

- our facial expression/s contribute 55% of the message

- the way we speak contributes 38% of the message (our tone, volume and rate of speech)
- only 7% of the message is conveyed by the actual words spoken.

3. Feedback is important when giving or receiving instructions because it makes it clear to

both the sender and the receiver that the message as intended is fully understood.

4. Individual team members can help the team by:

- encouraging participation in discussion

- helping communication between individuals and within the group
- listening effectively
- respecting other team members point of view
- mediating in conflict situations
- relieving tension, and
- monitoring the group or teams performance.

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EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Effective communication is vital in the workplace. It enables workers and supervisors to work
together efficiently to meet both the goals of the enterprise and the needs of customers and
clients.

Effective communication helps workers to:

 complete a schedule of tasks

 follow a set of instructions
 learn correct procedures and improve work practices
 solve problems
 work as part of a team
 follow the enterprise Occupational Health and Safety and environmental procedures.

There are three main modes of communication:

1. Verbal communication
2. Non-verbal communication
3. Written communication

VERBAL COMMUNICATION

In primary industries a large proportion of communication is verbal or spoken. This may

occur face-to-face or via telephones or two-way radios. For verbal communication to be effective
both the speaker and the listener need to be actively engaged in the conversation.

The speaker should be clear, concise, and courteous and use a style of language that is
appropriate to the situation and the audience. The information should be accurate to the best of
the speaker’s knowledge. The tone of voice and body language used when speaking are often as
important as the words themselves.

The listener should give the speaker their full attention and be sure that they clearly
understand the message being conveyed. Again, body language is very important. Good listening
skills are necessary when receiving instruction or being taught new procedures.

Questions should be asked by the listener to clarify the meaning and by the speaker to ensure
that the information has been fully understood. There are three types of questions:

1. Closed questions are used to obtain a particular piece of information. They are usually
answered with a yes or no or with a limited response. For example:

 Have you driven a four-wheel drive tractor before?

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2. Open questions encourage people to discuss a situation and share information. They
often require longer answers and begin with how, where, when, which, who, why or what.
For example:

 What types of tractors have you driven?

3. Reflective questions, also called mirror questions, are used to show the speaker that you
have been actively listening to them. They are also helpful when encouraging a person to
express their opinions clearly. For example:

 So, you’ve driven this type of tractor before?

 You’ve found this type of tractor to run reliably, haven’t you?

Good speaking, listening and questioning skills are essential when communicating via the
telephone or two-way radios to ensure that the correct information has been received.

There are a number of barriers that reduce the effectiveness of verbal communication. These
include:

 inappropriate choice of language style

 inappropriate body language
 disruptions
 noise in the proximity and/or a poor signal
 relevance of the topic to the listener
 assumptions made by both the speaker and listener.

NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

A significant aspect of face-to-face communication is non-verbal body language. This includes

body posture, arm and hand positions, facial expressions, eye contact and hand gestures.

Sometimes a conflicting message may be given because the words spoken do not match a
speaker’s body language.

Good observation skills are needed to ‘read’ what is really being communicated. Being aware
of cues and signals is a crucial skill in understanding people’s attitudes.

Personal presentation, dress and hygiene also contribute to the impression a person makes
when they are communicating.

Other forms of non-verbal communication regularly found in the workplace include:

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 Signals, for example hand signals used when operating machinery; traffic lights.
 Signs, for example safety signs; workplace warnings; men’s, ladies and disabled toilets;
first aid posts.
 Diagrams, for example property maps; diagrams in machinery manuals.
 Symbols, for example poison schedules; map legends; machinery gears and levers.

WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

Agriculture, horticulture and land management enterprises often require workers to use written
forms of communication. This may involve reading workplace notices and instruction such as:

 signs and labels

 notes, messages and memos
 rosters and work schedules
 safety material and notices
 invoices and dockets with customer information
 tables and simple graphs.

Employees may also be required to write down information, messages and material and tool
requirements. They will need to fill out a variety of workplace forms.

To be effective, written workplace information must be:

1. Clear – the handwriting must be legible and the information written in a manner that will
not be confusing.
2. Concise – the message should be written in simple language using short sentences or
point form. Unnecessary information and repetition should be avoided.
3. Correct – accuracy is very important when writing down information. If taking a phone
message, read the details back to the caller, especially names, addresses and phone
numbers. Use correct terminology where appropriate.
4. Courteous – as with verbal communication, the style of the language chosen should be
appropriate to the situation and the reader.

WORKPLACE INFORMATION

Primary industry businesses regularly collect record and report workplace information. This is
done to fulfill production, business and legal requirements.

There are different types of information kept by agricultural and horticultural workplaces.
These include:

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 Financial – for example invoices for purchases and sales, profit and loss statements,
taxation records, bank and dividend statements.
 Production – for example records of livestock numbers, growth rates, births and sales,
crops sown and harvested, weed and pest control management.
 Marketing - for example product sales, promotional and advertising material.
 Maintenance - for example machinery and vehicle log books and service records,
property structure repairs.
 Staff – for example personal and taxation records for employees, time sheets and
salaries, work rosters.
 Legal - for example workers’ compensation, public liability and property insurance, deeds
and titles.

Workers may be required to contribute to the collection, recording and reporting of a wide
range of workplace information. To do this effectively they need to be able to:

a. Correctly identify sources of information.

b. Obtain appropriate information.
c. Record information on standard forms.
d. Use correct procedures for the storage of information.

CORRECTLY IDENTIFY SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Information can be sourced internally by asking appropriate questions of employers,

supervisors or colleagues. Another way of sourcing information is to access and read workplace
documents. It is important to know where workplace records are kept and to return them to the
correct place after use.

Most enterprises have a business directory that contains the names, addresses, phone and
fax numbers, email addresses and contact names for a number of services such as:

 suppliers
 contractors
 the local veterinarian
 trade personnel
 industry and regulatory bodies
 local government.

Training organizations and advisors from the Department of Primary Industries and Rural
Lands Protection Board are often listed on the directory of business services.

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Other external sources of information can be sourced from the media, internet, CD ROMs and
DVD’s, reference material supplied by companies and the local library.

OBTAIN APPROPRIATE INFORMATION

Once the source of the information has been found, the correct information needs to be
collected. This will depend on the purpose of the information, the people who will use the
information and the time available or necessary to obtain it.

For example, if a worker is asked to ring around the local produce stores to compare fertilizer
prices, a half-hour conversation catching up on the local gossip would not be appropriate.
Conversely, if the employee responsible for machinery maintenance was sent to look at a second-
hand tractor, there would be an expectation that sufficient time would be spent to thoroughly
assess the condition of the machine.

Information needs to be sorted so that only relevant data is collected. If a worker is asked to
obtain a three-day weather forecast for the local district, a detailed analysis of the likelihood of
cyclones in Queensland the following summer, although possibly interesting, would not be
appropriate.

The information must also be interpreted correctly and written down accurately and legibly. A
livestock carrier who phones to say that he will arrive to pick up cattle at 7am on Monday will not
be impressed if the cattle are not yarded because the message was interpreted incorrectly and the
subsequent note reads “Cattle truck coming 7pm Monday”.

RECORD INFORMATION ON STANDARD FORMS

A number of forms need to be completed and submitted prior to, at the commencement of and
during employment. These forms may be related to:

 employee records and workplace agreements

 personnel and staffing details
 taxation and superannuation
 banking and finance
 health and insurance records
 Workers Compensation, accidents and incidents.

It is important to read through all forms carefully, as well as any accompanying instructions,
before starting to fill them out. Make sure that all the information is available and is correct. Check
the spelling of names and addresses and that any numbers have been accurately recorded.
Government forms are often translated into official documents and any errors will be duplicated on
them.  

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Details that are commonly requested include:

 full name and title

 home and postal addresses
 date of birth and country of citizenship
 phone and fax numbers and email addresses
 occupation
 signatures and dates.

Other details that may be required could include:

 highest level of qualification

 tax file number
 bank account details
 ABN number
 emergency contact names, addresses and phone numbers.

Forms should be completed clearly and neatly in the spaces provided using the type of pen
and style of writing indicated in the instructions. Always check through the answers for accuracy.
Any corrections which are necessary should be made according to the procedure set out in the
instructions.

It is good practice to make a copy of the form for future reference before presenting or mailing
it. If sending the form by mail, ensure that the postal address is correct, the sender’s address is on
the envelope and the correct postage is affixed. Retain original forms such as Birth Certificates
and only forward photocopies.

Each workplace will have a range of forms, specific to the enterprise that workers need to
complete. There is a legal obligation on employers to keep some of these records such as safety
reports and chemical records.

Forms that are common to most enterprises include:

 safety reports
 dockets, invoices and receipts
 petty cash vouchers
 time sheets
 telephone message forms
 leave forms.

Other enterprise forms might include:

 chemical records
 weather records
 vehicle and machinery log books
 registration, license and insurance forms

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 equipment inspection records.

USE CORRECT PROCEDURES FOR THE STORAGE OF INFORMATION

Every organization and business has a particular method for storing information. It is
important that all employees who need to access that information are familiar with the location and
the filing systems used. Records might be stored in the following places:

 filing cabinets
 computer files and databases
 folders on shelves, in drawers or under counters
 pin boards and white boards

Information stored in filing cabinets is usually organized alphabetically or under different topic
headings. Basic computer skills are required to access computer records. Help should be sought if
a particular piece of information cannot be found. All records should be filed correctly and returned
to the appropriate location after use.

Many workplaces also store information which is confidential. Anyone with access to these
records should only use them when necessary and only allow distribution of the information to
relevant personnel or authorities.

WORKING WITH OTHERS

A proportion of time is spent interacting with others in all workplaces. Colleagues work
together regularly in teams and workers report to and receive instructions from supervisors.
Discussions take place with customers, clients, suppliers and service providers.

In all situations the interaction should be efficient and courteous. Effective communication
skills should be employed. The cultural background and the authority of others should be
respected. An attitude that is responsive to and supportive of the opinions and the needs of others
will promote good working relationships.

When dealing with people outside the workplace, the business should always be presented in
a positive manner. Correct forms of greeting, identification, address and farewell should be used.

Inquiries should be carried out clearly and concisely with information being recorded and
reported accurately. Discretion and confidentiality must be maintained.

It is important to adhere to appropriate standards of personal presentation. These may include:

 dressing in a manner that ensures personal safety in the workplace

 wearing or using personal protective equipment

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 maintaining personal and workplace hygiene

 using positive body language.

WORKPLACE MEETINGS

The efficient operation of all workplaces relies on the effective sharing of information. This
exchange of information may be needed to:

 explain changes happening in the workplace

 discuss and solve problems and make decisions
 update Occupational, Health and Safety (OH&S) and other procedures
 determine workplace targets
 schedule and allocate tasks
 provide feedback and evaluation.

Information can be shared in a number of ways. Written information might be distributed via
the intranet, email or in newsletters, memos and notices. Formal meetings, informal discussions
and work team briefings are commonly used to share information in a face-to-face setting.
Meetings might be convened for a specific purpose, such as OH&S or union meetings, or they
may be more general in their purpose.

All meetings must be structured to achieve their purpose and conclude in a reasonable time
frame. An agenda may be used to outline the purpose of a meeting and the important points that
need to be raised and discussed.

Formal meetings use an agenda which generally includes the following items:

 opening, welcome, and names recorded of those present and names of apologies
received
 dated minutes and business arising from the previous meeting, including the acceptance
of these minutes
 correspondence, both in and out, with business arising
 reports from the finance and other subcommittees
 general and other business
 date, time and place of the next meeting and the close of the current meeting.

Minutes are detailed notes taken during a meeting of everything that has been said and
agreed upon. In some meetings a vote may be taken on important issues, either by a show of
hands or a secret ballot. The minutes should record the outcomes of voting and any decisions
made.

Informal meetings, discussions and briefings are less rigid in their structure. However, it is still
important to provide opportunities for discussion and take notes of decisions.

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Whatever the style of the meeting there is a protocol or code of behavior that all participants
should adhere to:

1. Attend the meeting on time.

2. Listen effectively.
3. Don’t interrupt other speakers.
4. Contribute to the meeting by expressing opinions in an appropriate manner.
5. Behave courteously towards other participants in the meeting.
6. Don’t discuss issues that are outside the purpose of the meeting.
7. Ask questions to clarify misunderstandings.
8. Take notes where appropriate of decisions agreed to in the meeting and retain these for
future reference.
9. Act on the instructions or decisions of the meeting within the agreed time.
10. Keep sensitive issues raised at the meeting confidential.

COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

All businesses have a need for effective communication, both between personnel within the
workplace and with individuals and other businesses outside the workplace. Each workplace will
have a communication system designed to meet its particular needs. Some of these needs
include:

 obtaining, recording and reporting information

 enhancing effective training
 providing a safe workplace
 improving the efficiency and effectiveness of work practices.

Communication systems use technology such as:

 telephones, including landlines, mobile and satellite phones

 answering machines
 facsimile (fax) machines
 computers with email and internet access
 two-way radios
 paging systems.

Most workplaces have procedures and protocols in place for the use of each type of
technology. Workers should familiarize themselves with the system features and control functions
and operate each device according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If not sure of the operating
procedure for a particular communication device, a worker should ask for assistance.

Some systems, such as telephones, answering machines and two-way radios rely solely on
speech. Effective communication is more difficult as the parties communicating are not able to see
each other and gauge the progress of the conversation from body language. It is important to
speak clearly, concisely and courteously especially when answering the phone or leaving a

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message. The correct greeting and identification of the business and the individual should be
used.

Private conversations and text messaging on mobile phones should be minimized during work
hours. Only essential calls should be made or received.

Designated channels and call signs should be used with two-way radios. Conversations
should be limited to relaying necessary information. Batteries should be recharged on a regular
basis and the radios kept in good working order. They may be a vital means of communication in
an emergency.

Enterprise procedures and protocols should also be followed when using systems that rely on
written communication such as faxes and emails. Many businesses have a standard cover sheet
that is attached to the front of outgoing faxes. Incoming faxes should be given to the appropriate
person or placed in designated in-trays or pigeon holes.

Information in faxes and emails should be written clearly and concisely. A standard ‘signature’
should be attached to the end of an email. Again, work computers should not be used to send
private emails.

The effective use of communication systems and technologies will not only enhance the
performance and profitability of an enterprise, but may be instrumental in maintaining the safety of
the personnel who work there.

INFORMATION SHEET No. 2

MATH IN THE WORKPLACE

People who work in primary industries often need to use mathematical skills. The ability to
perform basic calculation is essential to the efficiency and productivity of farms and other rural
enterprises. Examples of mathematical tasks that might be required in the workplace include:

 estimating the area of a paddock and the quantity of seed and fertilizer required to sow a
crop

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 counting livestock in a paddock or yard

 calibrating a spray unit before applying a pesticide
 tallying the sheep shorn by each shearer
 measuring a length of timber before cutting it
 calculating the number of fence posts required to construct a fence.

Mathematical skills used regularly in agriculture, horticulture and land management involve:

 Counts and tallies

 Estimation
 Measurement and calculation
 Tables and graphs

COUNTS AND TALLIES

Counting is a basic but essential skill in rural workplaces. A wide range of things need to be
counted accurately, for example:

 fence posts lying in a pile

 bags of fertilizer
 native tree seedlings in tubes
 wool bales in a shearing shed
 crates of fruit.

Livestock need to be counted accurately in both paddocks and yards. Sheep are usually
counted in two’s or three’s as they move through a gateway.

Where more than one group or class is being counted at the same time, a tally system is
used. For example, weaner cattle might be weighed before starting a supplementary feeding
program. The weight of each animal could be recorded individually against its ear tag number.
Alternatively, a tally might be kept of the number of weaners in each weight class. A series of
strokes in groups of five is often used when making a tally as shown in Table 1 below:

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The weaners might be weighed on a regular basis during the feeding program using the same
system. The results can then be used to determine the average growth rate and identify groups of
weaners ready for sale.

ESTIMATION

An estimate is an approximate count or measure, or a rough calculation. Estimations are often

used in rural enterprises and with practice can be quite accurate. There are a number of practical
reasons for using estimations rather than exact counts, measurements and calculations. These
include:

1. The required measuring device may not be on hand or practical to use in a particular
situation. Examples of estimations that can be used in these circumstances include:

 The distance across a paddock and its area can be estimated by pacing. That is,
by walking across the paddock taking steps of approximately one meter, the
length of the paddock can be estimated.
 Livestock weights can be estimated by assessing each animal visually. Fleece
weights must be taken into account when determining the live weight of sheep.
 The quantity of fuel remaining in a drum or tank can be estimated with a clean
dipstick. The dipstick is carefully put through the opening to stand on the base of
the container. The volume of fuel is estimated from the fraction of the dipstick that
is wet when withdrawn from the tank.

2. It may not be practical to count objects individually. For example:

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 The number of bales of hay in a shed or on a truck can be estimated by counting

and multiplying those visible along the length and breadth of one deck of the
stack. This result is then multiplied by the number of decks in the stack.
 The number of tree seedlings set out in the standing-out area of a nursery can be
estimated rather than counted individually. A count of one row multiplied by the
number of rows will give a fairly accurate estimate.
 The number of sheep in a set of yards can be estimated by counting one pen and
gauging how full the rest of the pens are.

3. Estimations are used to check the accuracy of calculations. This is particularly important
to ensure that the magnitude of the answer is correct. That is, the decimal point is in the
correct place or the number of zeros is correct. For example:

 A worker might be asked to calculate the quantity of concrete needed to pour a

slab for a small shed. He or she will not be popular with the boss if twenty cubic
meters (20m3) of concrete is ordered instead of the two meters (2m3) needed. A
quick estimation would have shown that the first answer was far too large and a
mistake had been made.
 A particular herbicide should be diluted with water by a ratio of one to twenty
(1:20). That is, 50 milliliters (50mL) of herbicide is added to one liter (1L) of water.
The herbicide will not be effective if it is diluted by an extra factor of ten (that is
5mL (0.005L) of herbicide to one liter (1L) of water).

MEASUREMENT AND CALCULATION

A number of measurements are taken on a regular basis in agricultural and horticultural

enterprises. In Australia, the metric system is used for many of these measurements such as
distance and weight. Once the measurements are taken, other quantities such as area and
volume can be calculated.

The metric system is an international standard of measurement based on factors and multiples of
ten. Follow the link below to Table 2. This table shows the relationship between distance, area,
volume and weight in the metric system. Standard abbreviations are also included. You may like
to print this information to keep as a handy reckoner.

Table 2: Common metric measurements

Measurement Unit Abbreviation Relationship to meter

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millimeter mm 1mm = 1/1000m = 0.001m

centimeter cm 1cm = 1/100m = 0.01m
Length
meter m  
kilometer km 1km = 1000 m
millimeters squared mm² 100mm² = 1cm²
centimeters squared cm² 10 000 cm² = 1m²
Area
meters squared m² 1m² = 1m × 1m
hectare ha 1ha = 10 000m²
milliliter mL 1mL = 1/1000L = 0.001L
liter L 1L = 1000cm³
Volume mega liter ML 1ML = 1 million litres
cubic centimeter cc 1cc = 1mL
cubic meter m³ 1m³ = 1m × 1m & × 1m
gram g 1g = weight of 1cm³ of water
Weight kilogram kg 1kg = 1000g
ton T 1T = 1000kg

Many measuring devices are preset in the factory where they are produced. The marks made
on rulers, tape measures and containers are determined using standards kept for that purpose.

Other measuring instruments, such as weighing balances, may need to be calibrated before
each use. This may be as simple as pressing a tare or zero button. In other cases a set of
instructions may need to be followed to accurately calibrate the device.

Common measurements and calculations used in rural industries include:

 Distance
 Area and perimeter
 Volume
 Weight
 Percentages and ratios

DISTANCE

The basic unit of the metric system is the meter. It is used to measure distance. Over short
distances length, width or breadth and height are measured with rulers and tape measures in
millimeters (mm), centimeters (cm) and meters (m). Accurately calibrated calipers are used to
measure very short lengths.

Specially designed wheels are available to measure distances that are impractical to measure
with a tape measure. These wheels can, for example, be walked across a paddock to determine
its length and breadth. The area of the paddock can then be calculated.

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Longer distances are measured in kilometers (km). The odometer in a vehicle is a handy
device for measuring long distances. Global Positioning System (GPS) technology is being used
increasingly to measure distance.

AREA AND PERIMETER

Once the length and breadth or widths of a particular surface have been measured, both the area
and perimeter can be calculated.

The perimeter is the sum of all the sides of a particular shape. The perimeter of a circle is usually
called the circumference. If a paddock is to be fenced, calculating the perimeter is essential to
correctly determine the quantity of materials needed.

The area of a surface is the product of the length and all or part of the width depending on its
shape. Calculating area is very important when determining seed and fertilizer rates and for
chemical application. It is also essential when contractors are paid by the hectare for ploughing
and harvesting.

The area of paddocks and properties is usually written in hectares. One hectare (1ha) is equal to
ten thousand meters squared (10000m2). A hectare that is square in shape will have sides that
are one hundred meters (100m) long.

A selection of common shapes is shown below with the formulae to calculate the perimeter and
area of each.

The following symbols are used with the shapes:

 l = length
 w = width
 b = base
 h = height
 r = radius
 d = diameter
 π = pi = 22/7 ≈ 3.14

Square

Perimeter = 4 × l
Area = l²
 

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Rectangle

Perimeter = 2l + 2w
               = 2(l + w)
Area = l × w
 
 
 

Triangle

The perimeter of a triangle is the sum of the length of each side.

The perimeter of a right angled triangle = b + h + length of hypotenuse

Note – In a right-angled triangle the length of the hypotenuse (the longest

side directly opposite the right-angle) can be calculated using the equation:
                                   ______
Length of hypotenuse = √ b² + h²
Area = ½ (h × b)

Circle

Circumference = 2 × π × r
                       = π × d
Area = π × r²
 
 
 
 

IRREGULAR SHAPES

Surfaces that are an irregular shape can be broken up into smaller, manageable sections to
calculate the area. For example, the garden bed in Figure 1 below can be divided into three basic
shapes. Four measurements are all that are needed to calculate the area and perimeter of the
garden bed.

CBLM – MASONRY NC II
BASIC COMPETENCY NO. 2

The calculations to determine the perimeter of the garden bed are shown in Figure 2:

The dimensions were calculated as follows:

e=a-c
   = 3m - 2m
   = 1m
       ______
f = √ d² + e²
      

______
  = √1² + 1²
       ______
  = √2
  = 1.4m
g=b-d
   = 1m

CBLM – MASONRY NC II
BASIC COMPETENCY NO. 2

h=g
   = 1 m
i=c-h
  = 1m
j=¼×π×g×2
  = ¼ × 22/7 × 1 × 2
  = 1.6 m
Perimeter = a + b + j + i+ f
               = 3 + 2 + 1.6 + 1 + 1.4
               = 9m

The calculations to determine the area of the garden bed are as follows:

Area A = c × d
             = 2 × 1
             = 2m²

Area B = ¼ × π × g²
             = ¼ × 22/7 × 1²
             = 0.8m2

Area C = ½ (d × e)
             = ½ (1 × 1)
             = 0.5m

Total area = A + B + C
                = 2 + 0.8 + 0.5
                = 3.3m²

VOLUME

Volume is the amount of space taken up by a substance or the space inside a container. The
volume of a liquid or gas is usually measured in liters (L). The basic unit for the volume of a solid
is cubic meters (m3). One liter (1L) is equal to one thousand cubic centimeters (1000 cm3). A
cube with sides of ten centimeters (10 cm) will hold one liter (1L).

A number of measuring containers such as syringes, measuring cups, jugs, buckets and
hand-held spray units can be purchased with graduations indicating volume. Many liquids come in

containers of standard volume. For example, fuels and oils can be bought in containers and drums
ranging from four (4L) to two hundred liters (200L). Milk production is measured in liters. Concrete,
soil, mulch and timber are examples of materials that are bought by the cubic meter (m3).

CBLM – MASONRY NC II
BASIC COMPETENCY NO. 2

Cylinders and prisms are two common volumes that may need to be calculated on farms. The
formulae and an example of each are given below.

The following symbols are used with the shapes:

 l = length
 w = width
 h = height
 d = diameter
 π = pi = 22/7 ≈ 3.14

CYLINDER

Volume = h × π × (d/2)²

If the height of a drum = 84cm and the diameter = 55cm:

Volume of drum = h × π × (d/2)²

                         = 84 × 22/7 × (55/2)²
                         = 20 000cm³
                         = 200L

To convert from cubic centimeters to liters divide by

1000. Be careful when calculating the volume of
containers to measure the internal dimensions.
 

RECTANGULAR PRISM

Volume = l × w × h

If a rectangular tank has the dimensions:

Length = 2.5m
Width  = 1.5m
Height = 1m

Volume of tank = l × w × h
                      = 2.5 × 1.5 × 1
                      = 3.75m³

WEIGHT

CBLM – MASONRY NC II
BASIC COMPETENCY NO. 2

The standard unit of weight in the metric system is the gram. One gram (1g) is the weight of
one cubic centimeter (1cm³) of pure water at sea level. For most practical purposes one litre (1L)
of water weighs one kilogram (1kg). In scientific terminology weight is usually referred to as mass.
Scales and balances of different types are usually used to measure weight. These can range from
very accurate digital balances that can weigh less than a gram to weigh bridges that measure the
loads on semi-trailers in tons (T). Most scales and balances need to be tared or calibrated before
use.

Fertilizer, grain and livestock feed are usually measured by weight. Both live and carcass
weights of livestock are important measures of the value of the animals. Livestock weights are
also necessary to determine the correct amount of veterinary chemicals such as vaccines and
drenches to be applied to each animal.

PERCENTAGES AND RATIOS

PERCENTAGES

A percentage is a number written as a proportion of one hundred. Percentages are often used
in relation to money. Interest, taxation and superannuation rates are regularly expressed as
percentages. Other examples of the common use of percentages include:

 joining, lambing and calving percentages

 dressing percentages of livestock following slaughter
 percentage germination of a crop
 percentage of total volume remaining in a water storage.

Percentages are calculated as a fraction multiplied by 100. For example, if a herd of 80 cows
have 73 live calves the calving percentage is:

Calving percentage = 73/80 × 100

                           = 91%

Percentages can be used to calculate amounts. For example, if a sum of $20,000 is invested
at an interest rate of 5% for twelve months the return on the investment can be calculated as:

Interest earned = 5/100 × 20 000

                      = $1000 per annum

RATIOS

A ratio is a comparison between two quantities. One quantity is often expressed as a fraction
of the other.

CBLM – MASONRY NC II
BASIC COMPETENCY NO. 2

Ratios are commonly used when diluting liquids such as pesticides. A dilution ratio of one in
fifteen (1:15) would require one part of the chemical to be diluted with fifteen parts of water. If the
spray unit held 200 liters the volumes of chemical and water required would be:

Volume of chemical = 1/16 × 200

                           = 12.5 L

Volume of water = 15/16 × 200

                       = 187.5 L

Total volume = 12.5 + 187.5

                  = 200 L

Note – The ratios are added together before any calculations are made.

Therefore a ratio of 1:15 = 1 part chemical + 15 parts water

                                  = 16 parts in total

Other situations where ratios are used include:

 relative quantities of sand, gravel and cement used to make concrete

 relative proportions of plant nutrients in fertilizers
 relative amounts of legume and grass seed in a pasture mix
 gearbox and differential ratios in farm machinery
 the ratio of timber posts to steel pickets used in a fence to reduce the cost of materials.

SELF-CHECK No. 1.1

THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Answer the following with do and don’t. Encircle the correct answer.

CBLM – MASONRY NC II
BASIC COMPETENCY NO. 2

1. Speak clearly and concisely.

1.   ?    Do
2.   ?    Don't

2. Ask questions to ensure that you understand what has been said.

1.   ?    Do
2.   ?    Don't

3. Speak to customers the way you speak when you are hanging out with your mates.

1.   ?    Do
2.   ?    Don't

4. Walk away when someone is speaking to you.

1.   ?    Do
2.   ?    Don't

5. Make sure that your ideas are the first to be heard.

1.   ?    Do
2.   ?    Don't

6. Make sure that what you are talking about is relevant to your listener.

1.   ?    Do
2.   ?    Don't

7. Have a long conversation near noisy machinery.

1.   ?    Do
2.   ?    Don't

8. Double check the details you are writing down when taking a phone message.

1.   ?    Do
2.   ?    Don't

9. Find out where the records you need to access are kept in your workplace.

1.   ?    Do
2.   ?    Don't

10. Sort through information you have collected so that only the relevant details are recorded.

CBLM – MASONRY NC II
BASIC COMPETENCY NO. 2

1.   ?    Do
2.   ?    Don't

11. Write messages in your own form of short hand.

1.   ?    Do
2.   ?    Don't

12. Keep workplace records when you have finished using them.

1.   ?    Do
2.   ?    Don't

13. Spend time on the phone at work discussing last week’s footie match.

1.   ?    Do
2.   ?    Don't

14. Return log books to the correct vehicles when you have finished getting details from them.

1.   ?    Do
2.   ?    Don't

15. Encourage others to express their opinions.

1.   ?    Do
2.   ?    Don't

16. Pin a large flyer about Friday night’s ‘battle of the bands’ over other notices on the board.

1.   ?    Do
2.   ?    Don't

17. Greet people politely when you meet them.

1.   ?    Do
2.   ?    Don't

18. Discuss other people’s business with your friends.

1.   ?    Do
2.   ?    Don't

19. Turn off the two-way radio to save power when you’re working on your own.

1.   ?    Do

CBLM – MASONRY NC II
BASIC COMPETENCY NO. 2

2.   ?    Don't

20. Recharge the batteries on two-way radios regularly.

1.   ?    Do
2.   ?    Don't

SELF CHECK No. 1.2

Read the following passage and select the best answer from the list provided to fill each
blank space.

filled knowledge carefully photocopy

letters answers boxes understand
forms questions clearly advice
single date pen signature

CBLM – MASONRY NC II
BASIC COMPETENCY NO. 2

before check correct records

When filling out 1________ it is most important to 2_________ read any

instructions relating to them. This should be done 3________ you start to fill out the
form. Some forms are 4________ out with a pencil. Others require a blue or black
5
_______ to be used.

You are usually asked to print 6_________ or use block/capital 7_________.

Often a series of empty 8________ are provided. You place a 9________ letter or
numeral in each space as you write the answers to the 10_________.

Many forms require a 11________ and 12________ at the end. You may be asked
13
to sign to the fact that the ________ you have provided on the form are true,
14
_________ and current to the best of your 15__________.

It is essential to 16_________ over all the entries you have made. You should also
17 18
make a _________ of important forms for your own _________. If you don’t
19
_________ a question on a form seek 20________ from the agency that sent the form or
from your supervisor.

SELF-CHECK No. 1.3

COMMUNICATION CROSSWORD

CBLM – MASONRY NC II
BASIC COMPETENCY NO. 2

CBLM – MASONRY NC II
BASIC COMPETENCY NO. 2

WORDLIST

AGENDA APPROPRIATE BUSINESS

COMMUNICATION
COMPUTER CONFIDENTIAL
COURTEOUS
DISRUPTIONS DIRECTORY DISCUSSION
EXCHANGE EFFICIENT ESTIMATION
FAX EXPRESSION EYE
HOW FILE GOAL
INFORMATION IDEA INDIVIDUAL
LANGUAGE INPUT INSTRUCTIONS
NEEDS MESSAGE MODE
NONVERBAL NET NIL
PRESENTATION SIGN PARTICIPATE PLAIN

CBLM – MASONRY NC II
BASIC COMPETENCY NO. 2

SPOKEN PROUD SEE

TWOWAYRADIO SKILL SOS
TEAM THERE
WORKPLACE YES

SELF CHECK No. 2

Use the information contained in the table below to answer the questions which follow.

Table - Monthly rainfall (mm)

  2003 2004 2005 Average
January 32 129 113 91.3
February 139 147 44 110.0
March 74 159 200 144.3
April 106 21 25 50.7
May 262 3 150 138.3
June 53 4 195 84.0
July 16 47 34 32.3
August 19 43 2 21.3
September 1 39 59 33.0

CBLM – MASONRY NC II
BASIC COMPETENCY NO. 2

October 61 374 92 175.7

November 85 237 101 141.0
December 44 74 57 58.3
         
Year Total 892 1277 1072 1080.3

1. Which month received the lowest rainfall during the three year period recorded in the
table?
2. Which month received the highest rainfall during the three year period recorded in the
table?
3. Which was the driest two month period?
4. Which was the wettest two month period?
5. Which was the driest month, averaged over the three year period?
6. Which was the wettest year of the three year period shown?

ANSWER KEY
(SELF CHECK No. 1.1)

Do Don’t
Speak to customers the way you speak when
Speak clearly and concisely.
you are hanging out with your mates.
Ask questions to ensure that you understand
Walk away when someone is speaking to you.
what has been said.
Make sure that what you are talking about is Make sure that your ideas are the first to be
relevant to your listener. heard.
Double check the details you are writing down
Have a long conversation near noisy machinery.
when taking a phone message.
Find out where the records you need to access
Write messages in your own form of short hand
are kept in your workplace.

CBLM – MASONRY NC II
BASIC COMPETENCY NO. 2

Sort through information you have collected so Keep workplace records when you have finished
that only the relevant details are recorded. using them.
Return log books to the correct vehicles when Spend time on the phone at work discussing last
you have finished getting details from them. week’s footie match.
Pin a large flyer about Friday night’s ‘Battle of
Encourage others to express their opinions.
the Bands’ over other notices on the board.
Discuss other people’s business with your
Greet people politely when you meet them.
friends.
Recharge the batteries on two-way radios Turn off the two-way radio to save power when
regularly. you’re working on your own.

ANSWER KEY
(SELF CHECK No. 1.2)

When filling out forms it is most important to carefully read any instructions relating to
them. This should be done before you start to fill out the form. Some forms are filled out with a
pencil. Others require a blue or black pen to be used.

You are usually asked to print clearly or use block/capital letters. Often a series of empty
boxes are provided. You place a single letter or numeral in each space as you write the answers
to the questions.

Many forms require a signature and date at the end. You may be asked to sign to the fact
that the answers you have provided on the form are true, correct and current to the best of your
knowledge.

CBLM – MASONRY NC II
BASIC COMPETENCY NO. 2

It is essential to check over all the entries you have made. You should also make a
photocopy of important forms for your own records. If you don’t understand a question on a form
seek advice from the agency that sent the form or from your supervisor.

ANSWER KEY
(SELF CHECK No. 1.3)

CBLM – MASONRY NC II
BASIC COMPETENCY NO. 2

ANSWER KEY
(SELF CHECK No. 2)

1. September 2003 received the lowest rainfall of the three years.

2. October 2004 received the highest rainfall of the three years.

3. The driest two month period was May and June 2004.

4. The wettest two month period was October and November 2004.

5. August was the driest month.

6. 2004 was the wettest year of the period shown.

CBLM – MASONRY NC II