Occupational Skills and Work Practices
The Occupational skills and work practices domain tests whether you can run a tile job safely, legally and productively: reading drawings and specifications, selecting tools, estimating materials, sequencing work, protecting finished surfaces, and documenting decisions. Exam scenarios often combine safety and production, so expect questions about what you would do on site rather than simple definitions.
Safety and compliance
- Read the SDS before using thinset, grout, sealers, cleaners and solvents; follow PPE, ventilation and storage instructions.
- Control silica at the source: wet-cut or attach a HEPA vacuum to saws and grinders; wear a fitted respirator when dust cannot be controlled.
- Use GFCI protection for wet saws, keep cords out of water, and inspect guards and blades before use.
- Follow ladder, fall-protection and housekeeping rules; label containers and keep exits clear.
Planning and trade math
- Sequence demolition, substrate repair, waterproofing, layout, tile, grout, sealant and cleaning so no trade damages cured work.
- Calculate net area, then add waste: about 5–10% for straight lay and 10–15% for diagonal or complex patterns; add trim, thresholds and niche pieces.
- Confirm box coverage, dye lot and caliber before ordering; keep attic stock for repairs.
Worked example
A floor measures 3.2 m × 4.1 m. Net area = 13.12 m². For straight lay with 10% waste: 13.12 × 1.10 = 14.43 m². If each box covers 1.44 m², 14.43 ÷ 1.44 = 10.02, so order 11 boxes. For diagonal lay, use 15% waste: 13.12 × 1.15 = 15.09 m², which is 10.48 boxes, so order 11 boxes plus check cut requirements. The reasoning matters: waste covers breakage, cuts, pattern matching and future repairs, not just “extra”.
Traps
Using net area only; forgetting pattern waste; mixing dye lots; storing tile in damp areas; leaving finished floors unprotected; failing to record a substrate rejection or instruction change.
Key points
- Add pattern-specific waste to net area, then convert to boxes.
- Keep dye lot and caliber consistent across the job.
- Control silica with wet methods or HEPA extraction.
- Protect cured tile from other trades and construction traffic.