Rob Page - 16696 - Unit 1

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Unit 1: Introduction to Construction Management

1. Give short answer the following questions: (15)

i. What makes construction industry different from other industries?

Construction is a unique vast goods-producing Industry that differs from any other
whereby infrastructure and superstructure are created, altered, modified and
demolished. This is usually achieved while structures are stationary. Construction
work tends to be undertaken outdoors where a product is constructed under dynamic
and hazardous conditions using separate specialised sub-contractor companies. As
a result, the Construction industry has one of the highest accident rates in
comparison to other industries; this is largely due to the fact that there are so many
influential factors that affect building work.

In contrast, manufacturing which covers a large range of products from Electronics to

textiles tends to be undertaken inside in a controlled factory environment and often
uses robot automation with an employed labour workforce. During Manufacturing
products are moved along a production line with repeatable results from an
inventory. This is unlike in Construction where pre-made products and materials are
delivered to site in preparation for their installation.
Agriculture, although also outdoors doesn’t incorporate the same levels of
complexity, man power or intense planning that Construction requires to achieve the
results needed to make projects a success.
The Services and Professional industries have very few similarities in their setup or
operations with a focus on serving a customer rather than transforming physical
goods. Examples of these are banking, communications, engineering, computer
software development and medicine.

Construction is known to be highly mechanised, sequential and incorporates a vast

array of resources’, it follows that no building project is ever the same even when like
for like projects are constructed, meaning predictability and repeatability are difficult
to incorporate. With structures being in fixed locations, Labour and Materials have to
be moved into position to allow installation for work to be carried out. This can create
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exposure to potentially unforeseen risks unlike that seen in any other industry with
again potentially high levels of accident severity.
Another variation which adds complexity and further separates Construction from
other industries is down to having to integrate many agencies together in order to
achieve the required laws, standards and results. These can range from Government
planning agencies and land authorities to different types of Client with varying
requirements.

ii. The accident rate in the construction industry is four times higher than that in any
other industry. Why?

Accident rates in the Construction industry are elevated above other industries due
to the following reasons:

1. Varying working conditions which include the supporting of structures often which
create unpredictability and complexity. This exposes a risk of something going
wrong and needs careful planning to negate risk.

2. Labour and equipment being moved on site elevates the risk of accidents and
makes a Construction site unpredictable. Materials need to be mixed or prepared,
such as mortar and often components have to be cut to size to fit, this can further
increase an operative to unsafe risk factors resulting in ill health or injury – tool use
and dust exposure for example. Coupled with the need to store materials ‘on site’,
this can compromise access when work space may not be available.

3. Due to rapidly changing conditions – For example;

 The weather can be highly changeable and varies depending on location –
regionally, nationally and internationally
 Ground conditions especially around excavations or existing buildings can
collapse if not properly supported
 An ever changing workforce, which may include thousands of people who
need training in line with each project. This can result in crucial
communication not been passed on and elevated risk of human error as
project familiarity can take time to build
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4. Often the balance between identifying and implementing a cost effective solution
plotted against using the safest methods don’t always equate to a healthy profit
margin. This can end up with short cuts or a cheaper less safer option being used.

In Conclusion, all of these components add to a highly unpredictable and inherently

dangerous and rapidly changing working environment unlike that seen in many of the
other safety controlled industries and can explain why accidents are four times more
likely.

iii. Outline the main duties and responsibilities of the construction supervisor.

As an overview:-

The main responsibilities of the construction supervisor are to adhere to the four
main requirements on site. These include making sure that the site remains a safe
as possible, that the highest quality standards are met, cost does not overrun budget
due to mistakes and that progress is made in line within the forecasted time
schedule. These are carried out through a systematic approach of recording
information; through inspection, testing and implementing improvement.

The main duties of a Construction Supervisor are to; motivate staff, instil discipline,
deal with and reduce conflict, promote good working relationships, give instruction to
allow work continuation, offer training when required, and serve as the
communication link between operatives and management.

A Construction Supervisor has many roles, duties and responsibilities and

maintaining high standards across the board are essential.

2. Discuss some important features of the construction industry. (7)

Construction is integral to Humanities survival; it provides infrastructure, shelter and

is an acting pillar to allow an economy to function. Construction improves the quality
of how we live our lives. Its requirement is fundamental and feeds into many other
interlinking industries. Construction creates a wealth of jobs. Consequently the main
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client for construction work is Government as taxes collected pay for infrastructure,
restoration and redevelopment. For example, Facilities can be provided such as
Hospitals and Schools, these are vital for health care and education. It also provides
infrastructure to build the supplies for safely distributing clean fresh water, electricity
and a means to heat superstructure, essential for welfare.

Construction materials have a lifecycle and need to be repaired resulting in reactive

maintenance once broken, or replaced utilising demolition and subsequent
reconstruction. Both have inherent dangers. These aspects form the framework in
which Construction has to fulfil its purpose. Construction can be implemented under
two categories – planned and reactive:

 Reactive construction work involves maintaining and fixing infrastructure and

superstructure when broken from the physical product created by planned
construction.
 Planned construction provides a physical product pre organised in the form of
a project.

The Construction project itself has a lifecycle which comprises of four stages:-
1. Initiation
2. Planning
3. Execution
4. Closure
Initiation and planning are both pre-construction, execution is where the plan takes
effect physically on site and where the main area of risk and danger lie. Closure is
where the project is fulfilled administratively.
During the execution phase – control of Health, safety and welfare have to be
enforced to manage the risks present. Under the Health and safety at work act 1974
a subordinate law was created called ‘Construction, Design and Management
Regulations’ (CDM). The latest version is CDM 2015 and assigns - designers, clients
and contractors to be duty holders by being responsible for certain areas of Health,
safety and welfare. As Construction is inherently dangerous its aim is an attempt to
substantially lower people suffering from ill health, injury or death caused while
working in Construction. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) oversees that these
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laws are being adhered to and can fine or imprison duty holders who don’t adhere to
the rules.

Construction Organisations often have different departments to face up to the

dynamic challenges associated with the responsibilities set out by CDM. Usually pre
planning is carried out by an Office based team and a Site based team implements
the plans. The Site based team is deployed to head up managing Health and Safety
of its workforce while they’re working on site, organising Labour and materials and
implementing actions that bring a project in on Time, within Cost and to the right
quality standards.

As the Construction industry concentrates on providing a physical product,

construction companies also require feed in service support. This can come in all
forms from finance, administrative training and employment support to continuous
business improvement, construction site training and site support.
Predominantly the main focus of these studies is the site Manager. They would
mainly work on a planned construction project.

3. Discuss how growth in technology has effected in the construction industry. (8)

Technological advancements have given Construction a giant leap forward by

adding autonomy and giving instant access to information. This has been achieved
through the continuing development of the PC, creation and access to the internet
and cheap mobile phones and tablets. All parties can now have instant access to
information irrespective of their location. Communication has been revolutionised
with improvements in ‘face to face’ video calling and written communication via
emails and shared portals. Construction projects can now happen more quickly and
for a lot less money.

A few examples are listed below:

Firstly and most importantly, health, safety and welfare have seen many
improvements, from collecting of statistics to identifying trends. Technology has hit
the problems seen in the early nineteen nineties and used tech advancement to
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drive progress towards increasing awareness and reducing risk. The HSE now use a
website for people to access all information regarding Health and Safety and no
longer rely on their inspectors to give advice and inform.

Computer software has simplified administrative duties by; automating designs,

tracking personnel productivity level, automated billing and managing critical design
information. Software can calculate and avert potential disasters using wireless
sensors positioned to monitor risk factors on sites - wind speed for example.

Augmented reality has helped clients and end users to visualise the finished product
and make changes where necessary during pre-construction before they become an
expensive and time-consuming problem later down the line.

CAD (Computer-Aided Software) has provided opportunity for revision and has sped
up the lead time from survey to completed drawings.

Automated machinery and robotics are now so sophisticated that they can do much
of the heavier lifting at a construction site. Instead of having an employee risk their
life in demolishing or erecting a structure, a robot can be employed to take on those
dangerous tasks. The number of potentially costly injuries and delays in the project
may be reduced as a result.

3D printing has seen a huge surge in recent years; this is removing a lot of onsite
risks and again simplifying construction assembly.

In conclusion, although technology has increased the complexity of Construction,

with computer autonomy this has made working in construction a much safer and
secure place to be. It has given us lots more variation in the finished product creating
more visually attractive structures and well designed multifunctional buildings. This
list only represents the tip of the iceberg for construction advancement through
technology.

The future looks very bright!