The critical role of site supervision.

With the passage of time and the ever-increasing cost of construction materials, the declining availability of technical skills and decreasing profit margins, the skills of construction supervision or the building associate have steadily been on the decline. With a focus on the procurement of work and the execution thereof at the lowest possible cost, the construction contractor often overlooks the importance of procuring the services of the best possible site supervision team.

The result is that even the best artisanal teams execute their work without the synergy and guidance that a competent site supervision team would provide. This deficiency in coordination and supervision of the various construction activities could lead to poor and deficient results e.g. dissatisfied clients and works that must be redone at an additional cost to the contractor.

When dealing with complaints, we often find that had competent supervision been present throughout the execution of work, the deficiencies would have been minimised.

Typical functions assigned to site supervision teams are to:

• Procure labour and monitor the performance of team members including implementing disciplinary action and provide on-the-job training and coaching.
• Develop, implement and monitor Health and Safety site plans.
• Identify specific hazards related to the project.
• Supervise the implementation of steps to limit damage to persons and property.
• Identify and apply procedures related to transmittable diseases in conjunction with the relevant professionals.
• Implement a quality management system.
• Assist in establishing and implementing a quality improvement process.
• Assist in establishing and implementing a construction project quality plan.
• Implement a process control quality system and conform to quality acceptance control requirements.
• Comply with the legal requirements of a construction contract.
• Interpret and apply a range of contract documentation, Codes of Practice and Professional Ethics.
• Read, interpret and use construction drawings and specifications.
• Understand and implement environmental initiatives during all phases of the project.
• Manage and report on construction activity and resource costs  as well as select and implement productivity improvement measures.. 
• Manage quantities for the purpose of computing the quantities of materials required to create a job cost accurately.
• Identify the plant and human resources required and use these calculations to develop a work plan. 
• Apply the basic setting out of works in the construction industry using basic survey equipment such as measuring tapes, ranging rods, levels and a theodolite. 
  
• Procure, receive, use and store materials in accordance with site procedures and safety and manufacturer specifications. 
  

These skills require a formal qualification and most often the contractor cannot only rely on them being acquired through on-site experience.

If you require assistance with construction, contractual and legal, training or recruitment, please contact the Association.

Victor Smith

Membership Manager