COURSE CODE: BLD 802

TOPIC: Site Organizational Structures (Relationships

and Job Functions)
LECTURE NOTE: WEEK 2
LECTURER: DR. O.J. OLADIRAN
2.0. Site organization structure

The on-site structure within an organization is influenced by the:

• Size of a project.
• Type of a project.
• Nature of a project.
• complexity of a project.
• Effectiveness of personnel involved.
• Clients’ needs.
• Current workload of the contractor.
• Environmental factors.
• Socio/cultural factors.
• Availability of resources.
• Government policies.
• Delivery methods.
On a large project, the builder will appoint a site manager whose
responsibility it is to see that the project is managed satisfactorily on site
in terms of budgeted costs, specified quality and contracted time. The site
manager would be a staff member of the organization and made
responsible for the total conduct of the site and any other associated
aspects. Various subordinate staff assist the site manager. Each of the
subordinate staff is allocated specific duties for which they are
responsible, through the chain of command, to the site manager, who, in
turn, is responsible to the construction manager of the organization.
Site manager - The task of the site manager is to ‘establish’ the project
and then ensure that it continues to progress, at least at the level
predicted, so as to complete it on time. To achieve this, the site manager
requires a sound knowledge of site management and the ability to
perform these duties efficiently.

Many decisions will need to be made in the course of a project and the
requirements of these decisions must be communicated clearly to those
concerned. The site manager must ensure that accurate records are kept
of all decisions made. These records form a basis for future reference
and planning and also provide evidence in the event of disputes. The site
manager must ensure that company policies are adhered to. Their role
requires planning, coordinating, controlling and reviewing the day-to-day
site activities. Their duties will include:

• liaising with the client, specialist consultants, subcontractors,

statutory bodies, suppliers, trade unions and owners of adjacent
properties and others

•attending and conducting meetings to discuss aspects requiring

clarifications

•receiving instructions from the architect and implementing variations

•maintaining the site in a safe working condition

•acting as an arbitrator in disputes arising between subcontractors

and others associated with site activity

•generally controlling, through delegation, the various resources

associated with the project, for example labour, materials,
machines and money, as well as aspects like method, space and
time.

Assistant site manager - responsible to the site manager. Supervises

the day-to-day activities which occur on the site.
Contracts administrator – he/she is subordinate to the site manager
when on site, but this role reports directly to the senior contracts
administrator, who is normally located at head office. The contracts
administrator would attend site for the purpose of compiling the
contractor’s progress payment claims

Site clerk ― responsible for daily administrative tasks, eg materials

delivery and control, recording and maintaining records as required.

Site engineer/surveyor ― responsible for location, line and level of the

structure. Here, the role is shown as reporting to the assistant site
manager. But the line relationship varies depending on company
policy.

OHS/first aid officer ― responsible for checking compliance of all OHS

aspects on site. Exercises the first aid function and maintains records.

Sub trades foremen - t h e s e are independent contractors subject to

the supervision of the main contractor, through the assistant site
manager.

Ganger – u s u a l l y r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e s u p e r v i s i o n o f s e m i -
skilled labourers (plant operators, drainlayers, concreters
a n d g e n e r a l l a b o u r e r s o n s i t e . He performs similar duties and
has similar status to the foreman.

Changehand - On larger sites, changehands may be appointed to

assist the foremen to supervise a subsection of a particular trade,
such as brickworks in substructure, superstructure and internal
partitions.

Operative – this term is used to describe the personnel who carry out
the physical work of the building process, that is, tradesmen and
labourers.
 Site Manager

Assistant
Site Manager Site Administrator

Site Clerk Site Engineer/Surveyor OHS/

First aid Officer

Foreman Foreman Foreman Gangers

Example of site staff organisation structure

Note: This is typical of a simple site staff structure – but each site needs a staff structure applicable to its specific
circumstances. There is no ‘set formula’.