This document discusses the importance of being an effective worker in the pipe trades. It emphasizes developing good work habits like being on time, communicating clearly to avoid misunderstandings, and handling conflicts professionally. Maintaining good relationships with coworkers and customers is key to being successful on the job. Absenteeism and poor work habits can negatively impact productivity and crew morale.
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Effectiveness On The Job
• Begins with
enjoying your
work
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Your Commitment
• Mastering technical
skills
• Developing good work
habits
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Effective Pipe Tradesmen
• Work the most hours
• Are the most
employed
• Are the most
promotable
Enjoying your work begins with making a
commitment to excellence!
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Good Learning Habits
• Getting to work on time
• Starting first task of the
day on time
• Not stretching lunch or
coffee breaks
• Not showing up at all is
worse than being late
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Impact of Absenteeism
• Study by Construction Industry Cost
Effectiveness Project, a single day’s
absence by a construction crew member
results in 1 ½ days of lost effort!
• Calculated by adding time spent by other
crew in waiting for a replacement
– Time spend moving replacements to and
from other work locations
– Supervisory time spent in locating
replacements and reassigning work
– Under-use of tools and equipment
– Increased overtime
– Lower crew morale
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Good Work Habits
• Make sure you understand all
instructions and procedures
• Make sure all tools you need are on
hand and within reach
• Use both hands together when doing
work (less tiring, smooth, continuous
hand motions)
• Perform as much work as possible
with hands and fingers (avoid
unnecessary body movements)
• Use short delays to do other useful
work
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Think Safety
• Safety related to
concentration
• Accidents are a waste
(not only time and
money)
• Most accidents are
results of someone’s
carelessness
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Wear Hard Hat and Safety
Glasses
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Deal Well With People
• Every job has its
share of irritations
and frustrations
• You cannot be
effective if you are
continually at odds
with fellow crew
members,
supervisors, and
other tradesmen or
customers
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Someone…
• May have complaints about a
certain job
• May want mistakes corrected
• May want information or a
report on status of a specific
task
• Might have instructions you
must understand and carry
out
• Might just be taking a
friendly interest
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Two-Way Street
• How others treat us is
determined in large part
by how we behave
towards them
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If you receive little respect
and recognition…
• Most always
means that your
attitudes and
personal
behavior turns
other people
off!
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If you are at odds with
others…
• Learn as much
as possible
about the other
person’s
experiences
and point of
view.
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Learn to Communicate
• Gaps between what
someone says and what
someone hears
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Example of
Misunderstanding
• Late in the day the
foreman says “Get on
that task as soon as
you can.”
• He expects you to start
the job quickly.
• It doesn’t make sense
to start a new job so
late in the day. You
might get the materials
ready but wait to start
the job tomorrow.
• Result—different
expectations—
misunderstanding
develops
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Common Barriers to Effective
Communication
• Your message is poorly
stated.
• You are talking in your own
terms, not theirs
• You are mistrusted (thinks
you are only selfish)
• They interpret what you say
as they want to hear it.
• They aren’t listening—other
things on their mind
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Keep Asking Yourself
• “Am I getting the
right message
across—the
message I want to
send?”
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Learn to Listen
• Concentrate on what
another person is saying
• Be patient--Don’t interrupt
• If you are uncertain, ask for
more information
• Don’t offer a hasty answer
• Keep an open mind as well
as open ears
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Handling Anger
• Be careful in reacting
to criticism
• Accept criticism
gracefully
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Professional
Responsibilities
• Maintain good
relationships with
customers and other
tradesmen
• Disputes and problems
will occur—but it never
pays to lose your cool
even if others are losing
theirs
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When Others Get Upset
• NEVER respond in kind
• It takes two to get a good fight
going
• If you have done or said
something to get someone angry,
stop it immediately
• When situation cools down, make
effort to do something
constructive about the problem
• Don’t carry grudges!
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Represent Your Employer
• You can help or hurt your employer by how
you handle yourself personally with
customers
• You can also help or hurt yourself in the
process
• More effective you are as an employer’s
representative, the most employable and
promotable you will be
