Temporary services and site accommodation requirements need to be determined as part of the plant and equipment requirements. Generally, these factors have been built into the quote, however, a site supervisor must be aware of these points in the planning process.
Councils and work health and safety requirements make it a condition of the building contract for the following temporary services to be supplied from the start of the building process:
- Temporary electrical pole or power box built into its permanent position. If a slab is being poured on the ground, the power is brought on-site and the power board is put into its permanent place. Sometimes the location of the existing service will determine this. The set back distance and overhead or underground supply need to be considered
- Chemical toilet, which in certain circumstances needs to be permanently plumbed
- Waste bin
- Temporary fencing around the site so that the public does not have access
- Water tapping to supply water to the site. This may be a short tapping (on the same side of the street) or a long tapping which requires piping under the road (if supply is on the other side of the street)
- Seepage barriers (in some cases) across the front of the site to stop water and soil running onto the footpath
- 'Tiger strips' if work is to take place close to overhead powerlines
- Barricade to meet the local municipal by-laws. If the site cut is over one metre, a barricade is erected to prevent public access. If the site cut is less than one metre, a temporary fence is erected.
Projects with more than 10 workers
If more than 10 workers are to be employed at any one time, the WHS requirements are much more stringent in relation to amenities and facilities.
A jobsite office is essential for most commercial building projects. The jobsite office is the superintendent’s headquarters, even when the superintendent is in the midst of the construction activities for most of the day. The jobsite office ranges from a clipboard in a pickup truck to multi- storey office facilities, depending upon the scope of the project. The jobsite office is often required in the General Requirements (Division 1) of the construction documents.
The project manager’s headquarters and office
This is where the supervisor and field management personnel, such as field engineers, offices are located.
The place of business for the builder
This is where visitors, sales-people, architects, owner’s representatives, subcontractors, and direct labour enter the jobsite to establish contact with the appropriate management personnel.
The location of telephone, computer and fax facilities
The builder’s telephone, computer and fax machine is usually in the jobsite office.
The location of the full and current set of construction documents, including addenda and changes
Most contract documents require that the builder keep a complete and updated set of documents at the jobsite. This set of documents is used as a reference for architects, owner’s representatives, building inspectors, and subcontractors, as well as for the builder’s personnel.
The location of the 'record drawings' or 'as-built' drawings, which show the actual dimensions and locations of the project as constructed
These 'record drawings' are meant to be updated as the job progresses.
The location of posters and information for employees
All employee information, such as safety posters, posters from state and federal agencies informing the employee of certain rights and obligations, and statements of company policy should be posted on a special bulletin board.
The location of first aid information and equipment
Emergency phone numbers must be posted in a prominent location, with the jobsite ad-dress or location. First aid kits should be available at all work locations, but should also be available at the jobsite office. Major first aid equipment, such as stretchers, should be in the jobsite office, easily accessible.
Attributes of the jobsite office
It must be lockable and secure off-hours. Today’s jobsite office contains valuable equipment, such as computers, printers, plotters, copiers, and fax machines. Other valuable equipment used on the jobsite, such as surveying equipment and construction lasers, are often stored in the jobsite office as well. Many contractors install security systems in the jobsite office, as this is a frequent target for burglaries.
Throughout your building project you will need to order the materials necessary for building to proceed. It is important that the quantity of materials is accurate and the delivery is timely.
Too many materials on site too soon can be a waste of money. They can also take up valuable space on the site and become weather-damaged or even be stolen.
Too few materials can lead to delays in building work, while waiting for additional deliveries.
Organise materials
Careful planning of materials used in a building project means less waste and therefore cost savings. Careful choice of plant and equipment is also important, as equipment failure or other results of poor choices result in delays and lower productivity. Good organisation of materials and equipment requires planning the timing for calling of orders and deliveries.
Planning reduces the risk of problems occurring later, as the materials and equipment are on-site when they are needed.
Prepare materials list
To organise the materials for a building project you first need to know what materials are required.
Sometimes a list of materials is available from the estimator/scheduler. If not, you need to start by looking at the contract documentation to see what is needed. Once you have a list of materials you then need to decide where you will source the materials.
Sourcing materials
You need to decide where to purchase the materials. You may choose a local supplier such as a timber yard or the usual supplier for your company. Sometimes a wholesaler will be able to meet your requirements. Quotes can be called from your company's usual suppliers.
Checking materials' availability
To check materials availability, phone around to find out who has good supplies. If enquiries are being made through suppliers other than the usual ones, alternative sources of information is the internet, timber industry sources or other known suppliers.
Obtaining quotes from suppliers
The next stage is the calling of quotes from these suppliers so you can find the supplier with the most economical price and service.
Purchasing processes
It is advisable to place orders as early as you can for a specified delivery date. This can be several weeks in advance as you often wish to check for availability of a certain material at the same time.
Site deliveries
It is important that deliveries are brought onto the site just in time, neither too early nor too late. Always provide a delivery date when an order is placed. You should generally allow three days from the date of call-up to the date of delivery. A call-up is the placing of an order or confirmation of an order for materials or labour.
Usually, site deliveries are normally controlled and recorded using a delivery sheet diary or call forward sheet.
See an example below:
| Task No. | Task/activity | Call date | Delivery date | Contractor/supplier | Specialist skills or competencies | Instructions or comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
You would have worked out the project's on-site labour needs, whether business labour or subcontract labour, as part of the preparation for the project. You need to successfully schedule and distribute human capital.
You would need to interact with them in writing while using sub-contractors so that they can fit in with your schedule. You would also have a formal contract with the subcontractor for this.
It is important to have subcontractors approved by the architect or owner, especially for commercial projects. This approval must be reported in such a way that all approved sub-contractors for the project have a record.
It is necessary to have a written plan when using company labour so that this labour is available when needed for the project. If there are several projects in the organisation and the work is to be divided amongst these projects, then those directing the allocation of work must be mindful of the time necessary for this work to be carried out on this project.
For this to be done, there must be clear coordination within the organisation and those who are allocating labour must have a written copy of the project schedule and on-site labour specifications.
Construction workers
The construction workers are the most significant component of labour in buildings. They are also known as the builder's labourer. Construction workers aid with a variety of manual labour work on construction and construction sites.
By working with specific tradespeople as a trade assistant, such as a plasterer's or bricklayer's labourer, or a carpenter's assistant, construction workers may specialise.
To perform a variety of specialised positions, such as concrete workers, doggers, riggers, scaffolders or steel fixers, skilled construction workers may obtain high-risk job licenses or 'tickets'.
For the most part, construction employees work outside.
A white card (or General Construction Induction Training (GIT) card) is required for workers who want to carry out construction work. In NSW, this is regulated by Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 (regulation 316).
People who need a white card include:
- site managers, supervisors, surveyors, labourers and tradespeople
- people who access operational construction zones (unaccompanied or not directly supervised by an inducted person)
- workers whose employment causes them to routinely enter operational construction zones.
The white card becomes void if you haven't carried out construction work for two consecutive years or more. The requirements regarding the white card may vary from state to state.
Below you can see a few examples of how the White Card looks in different Australian states and territories, such as NSW, QLD and NT.
Image source: Recognition of general construction induction training cards: Fact sheet | Safe Work NSW4
Tasks of construction workers
The following tasks can be carried out by construction workers:
- unloading, transporting, and stacking construction materials and placing instruments and equipment in place
- dig trenches to break up rock and concrete using hand tools or jackhammers, so that footings and utilities can be laid
- place and compact filling and quarry materials
- help to erect and dismantle scaffolding (subject to certification in some states and territories), stairs, catwalks, barricades and warning lights
- blend, pour and spread concrete under supervision
- use wheelbarrows to clear debris and waste from construction sites
- in preparation for new construction, uninstall tiny buildings and strip materials
- operate construction machinery, subject to any licensing and accreditation criteria
- clean surfaces for painters.
Job opportunities for construction workers
For large construction companies and smaller building subcontractors, construction workers are employees. Via labour-hire firms, many gain jobs. They are working to construct several buildings, including residential buildings, apartment complexes, shopping centres, offices, hotels, warehouses, tourist resorts, public buildings, hospitals and schools. Building workers also work on heavy industrial or civil construction sites; excavations of bridges, tunnels, and shafts; demolition sites; and local government works.
Upon completion of a project, construction workers will need to apply for their next job at new sites. If they work for a legal, construction or commercial subcontractor (for example, a bricklayer), they might be able to coordinate new work sites. In conjunction with developments in the civil or building and construction sectors, job opportunities can differ greatly.
Labour requirements
Education and training of construction workers
Construction workers can apply without formal qualifications. However, they can get some informal on-the-job experience. Through an apprenticeship or traineeship in building or civil construction, you can also become a construction worker. Entry specifications can differ, but Year 10 is usually expected by employers.
Additional requirements
When working at heights, construction workers are required by industry guidelines to complete a Work Safely at Heights short course offered by a Registered Training Organisation.
All those working in the construction industry must obtain safety induction training and a construction induction card (CIC). Training is performed in New South Wales by Registered Training Organisations authorised by SafeWork NSW. Training is given in the Australian Capital Territory by Registered Training Organisations approved by Work Safe ACT.
When you are working, additional skills under the Construction, Plumbing and Services or Resources and Infrastructure Training Packages can be created and recognised.
