E4014 Construction Surveying Job Organisation and Control

Construction Authorities Major differences between construction and other types of production are: –all construction jobs are unique –length of the job is limited –generally more labour intensive –locations vary

Construction Authorities Head Office –investigation and design functions –specialised technical support for construction –overall control of plant purchase –financial control –administrative and clerical services –particular services computer software expertise photography publicity forward planning

Construction Authorities District Office –manage construction in the district –employ technical staff engineers draughtspersons surveyors laboratory technicians construction technicians –small clerical staff –costing section

Job Supervision The transformation of the designer’s plans and specification into the reality of a completed construction project requires some degree of supervision of the work as it progresses

Supervision v Inspection SUPERVISION –implies direct control of the execution of work –consequent responsibility for it INSPECTION –checking on completed sections of work –implies a lesser level of responsibility

Supervision v Inspection A supervisor can direct the workers to perform work in a certain way an inspector can merely say whether, in his/her opinion the work has been done satisfactorily –a foreman in charge of day-labour forces carries out supervision –an engineer or inspector may inspect the work done on behalf of the client

Supervision v Inspection A site engineer employed by the contractor carries out supervision a resident engineer acting on the client’s behalf carries out inspection

Supervisor A person who directs the conduct of work –site manager –site engineer –general foreman –sub-foreman –leading hands the term ‘supervisor’ is normally reserved for the level of sub-foreman or above but not as senior as the site engineer

Supervisor’s Role To direct and control the operations for which he/she is responible to ensure the standard of workmanship is sufficiently high achieve the required rate of progress and facilitate progress wherever possible maintain harmonious relationships between the workers and the workers and their unions

Supervisor’s Role Keep an accurate record of progress and report on this to his/her superiors to solve any construction problems within his/her capacity and refer others to others for prompt attention carry out the orders of his/her supervisors

Supervisor’s Authority Supervisor’s authority may be greater than that of the general foreman but less that that of the Site Engineer supervisor should always be careful not to undermine in any way the authority of the foreman, sub-foreman and leading hands over their workers and the respect they command

Engineer’s Role Depends on: –who they are employed by and what function they perform in that organisation –whether they visit the site or is engaged full- time on site

Engineer’s Role employed by constructing authority or a firm of consulting engineers engaged by the client –role is to design and/or inspect the works employed by the contractor –role is to plan construction and solve technical problems associated with the work –may even directly supervise some operations