Why site supervision is important

o To ensure all works progress smoothly and fulfill the contract drawings and

specifications

o To ensure and monitor the construction works follows the project programme

o To ensure the proper quality and workmanship is maintained

o To ensure that the safety rules and regulations are adhered to by all the staff working

at the site.

Four (4) characteristics of a good site manager:

o must have knowledge in the civil engineering construction

o must be able to command men and be a good organiser and administrator

o must be tough, practical, fair-minded, experienced and energetic

o if he is the Agent (on the Contractor’s side), he needs sound business senses,

because his job is not only to get the works done properly to the satisfaction of

the Engineer/S.O. but also to make profit for his company.

Ten (10) factors to achieve good site relations with the Contractor:

o be fair but firm in dealings with the contractor’s staff

o try to avert the continual state of aggression that sometimes occurs by

employing tact on all occasions

o explain accurately to the contractor any respect of the work that he may

not understand

o if problems are raised on site be prompt and decisive in providing your

solutions

o ensure that from the start of the job even small parts of the works are

constructed correctly so the contractor will realise that only a high

standard of workmanship will be allowed throughout the contract.

o However, be tolerant by not necessarily following the letter if the law

when extreme difficulties occur through no specific fault of the

contractor. Unless the job is likely to be impaired then relax the

specification and let common sense prevail.

o Instructions should always be given to a responsible member of the

contractor’s staff. Giving instructions to several different people can

cause mistakes and will certainly give the contractor an excuse for

argument and possible claim.

o Be prompt with criticism of work – do not wait until the job is done

before condemning it.

o Ensure that your Engineer/S.O. is well informed on any decisions you

make so that a contractor is not able to obtain a different decision from

the Engineer/S.O.

o Serious disagreement with a contractor or refusal to carry out

instructions should be reported to the Engineer/S.O.

 Note: S.O. means Superintending Officer

Usual content of a site diary:

o details of work progress and its location, e.g. concreting works etc.

o remarks on heather conditions and the time

o names of visitors to site

o hours of work

o record of measurements of agrees finished work, etc.

other site documents beside the site diary:

o Weekly Report – a record of events and people submitted to the SO’s office weekly.

o Progress Chart – a bar chart showing weekly the program and progress of work

under construction.

o Progress Plan – a general plan of the site marked daily to show the progress and

alterations.

o Record Plans – the contract plans amended to show the work as constructed.

o Measurement Books or Sheets – these are to show the agreed measurements and

quantities of works to be paid to the Contractor.

o Test Records – these show particulars of manufacturer’s tests and certificates and

records of site sampling and testings.