What Are the Common

Challenges in Equipment
Management?
Equipment management includes several activities related to maintenance. In this process,
equipment is monitored and managed as per the requirements of the organization.

Equipment management includes activities such as deploying equipment where they are
needed or retrieving it back when they are not required. Using equipment to its full potential
is also an important part of equipment management.
1. Manual Work Management
When you work manually it increases the chances of mistakes. If there are some errors in
data while making data entry it will decrease the efficiency of the data. Many organizations
utilize a spreadsheet for data entries because it is a free tool & they want to save money.

However, spreadsheets are not reliable as they are used by multiple people and if someone
makes changes you can track who made the changes. Furthermore, changes can be made
intentionally or unintentionally.
Spreadsheets are vulnerable to errors. When you count inventory, you need to ensure that
you have accurate data because manual inventory count or equipment count can be a
lengthy process.

2. Equipment Tracking
One of the most common equipment management challenges is keeping track of
equipment. Pieces of equipment are moved from one place to another location then their
theft and misplacement chances are increased.

When equipment is lost, or misplaced daily operation suffers, and productivity decreases.

Pieces of equipment are very costly they need to be tracked properly as it can be very
beneficial for business. Tracking can provide several advantages to the organization and
lets you know the location of equipment all the time.

3. Maintenance Expenses
Maintenance cost has always been an issue for all organizations because maintenance bills
are costly. Although normal maintenance is expensive when schedule maintenance is not
provided to assets it becomes more expensive another reason is sudden equipment failure.

When equipment failure occurs then equipment needs to be restored quickly that is why
they are costly. However, the organization most of the time ignores maintenance which is
why maintenance bills are huge.

4. Regular Maintenance
Assets and equipment keep moving from place to place especially in the construction
industry. Equipment in the construction industry does heavy work really and they need to be
maintained otherwise it will not only lead to increased maintenance expenses, but daily
work is impacted, and the project will be delayed as well.

So, regular maintenance is important! It decreases the chances of sudden equipment failure
and makes assets more reliable.
Also Read: What Are the Challenges Faced by Maintenance Managers?

According to Markets and Markets, “the medical equipment maintenance market to grow
from USD 28.97 billion in 2018 to USD 47.49 billion by 2023, at a Compound Annual
Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10.4% during the forecast period.”

5. Implementing Maintenance Strategy

Implementing a new maintenance strategy is hectic because the first step you need to find
out which maintenance strategy will be beneficial for your business.

As there are lots of maintenance strategies available in the market. Some organizations use
proactive maintenance, some use reactive maintenance, some organizations use both.

Deciding which maintenance strategy to use is one thing implementing that maintenance
strategy is another thing. It represents several equipment management challenges as we
shift from one or no maintenance type to another.

How to Overcome These

Equipment Management
Challenges?
In order to overcome these equipment management challenges, you need asset
management software. This software provides several advantages to the organization
through which you can avoid these issues.

Asset management software is known for eliminating manual processes and makes them
automated. It eliminates the usage of spreadsheets and keeps the data accurate.

Asset theft and misplacement is a big issue in business sectors equipment are considered
as the backbone of the organization. When they are not found it interrupt the daily
operations and delays the production work as a result efficiency decreases.
In order to avoid theft or misplacement equipment tracking is done. For equipment tracking,
asset tracking techniques can be used such as barcode, QR Code (Quick Response code),
RFID (Radio-frequency identification), etc.

These technologies come in the form of labels, a label is stickered to teach assets and
equipment. Each label has a unique identification number through which tracking is done.
With these technologies, you can know equipment location that too in real-time.

Once you store all the information in the system then you can easily schedule equipment
maintenance which means you do not have to remember manually for equipment
maintenance.

This software will automatically alert you for each upcoming maintenance in that your
assets and pieces of equipment will be maintained. Obviously when pieces of equipment
are tracked then maintenance will be provided on time and maintenance costs will decrease
automatically.

Furthermore, it will increase the performance of equipment. Moreover, you can also
schedule maintenance for performance optimization.

If you are worried about maintenance strategy with this software, you can easily implement
all types of maintenance strategies however this software specializes in proactive
maintenance.

Conclusion
Equipment management challenges will be always there, but you can tackle them with the
right tools easily.

As we have seen above there are several challenges for equipment management therefore
asset management software is crucial. It can help in various ways this software solves lots
of problems. It helps organizations in several other ways.
 Asset management software provides solutions from equipment tracking to equipment
maintenance. Furthermore, it offers several other advantages and features that make you
and your organization more productive.

For instance, it provides accurate data and reports that are helpful in making important
business decisions.

What are Assignment Models?

Assignment models are used to estimate the traffic flows on a network.

Traffic Assignment Models estimate the flow on a street or highway network using
an input matrix of flows that indicate the volume of traffic between origin and
destination (O-D) pairs. They also take input on the network topology, link
characteristics, and link performance functions. The flows for each O-D pair are
loaded onto the network based on the travel time or impedance of the alternative
paths that could carry this traffic. The traffic assignment model predicts the network
flows that are associated with future planning scenarios, and generates estimates of
the link travel times and related attributes that are the basis for benefits estimation
and air quality impacts. The traffic assignment model is also used to generate the
estimates of network performance that are used in the mode choice and trip
distribution or destination choice stages of many models.

Transit Assignment Models are used to estimate the number of passengers that
use transit segments and routes in a transit network as a function of transit level of
service and fare. These models take as input an O-D matrix of passenger demand
and a transit network, and produce transit segment, stop level, route level, and
aggregate ridership statistics. The assignment model is a special case of
transportation problems where each supply point should be assigned to a demand
point and each demand should be met. It is actually a special case of the
transportation model in which the workers represent the sources, and the jobs
represent the destinations. The supply (demand) amount at each source
(destination) exactly equals 1. The cost of "transporting" worker i to job j is cij' In
effect, the assignment model can be solved directly as a regular transportation
model. Nevertheless, the fact that all the supply and demand amounts equal 1 has
led to the development of a simple solution algorithm called the Hungarian method.
Although the new solution method appears totally unrelated to the transportation
model, the algorithm is actually rooted in the simplex method, just as the
transportation model .

There are six characteristics of a model assignment which will not

only alleviate instructor frustration, but also strengthen student
writing and time management skills.

1. Create assignments which directly relate to

accomplishing the course objective.
A model assignment maintains a clear goal toward
accomplishing a course objective. For adult online learners,
course goals relate less to theory or original research and
more to practical approaches for day-to-day application or
career advancement.
2. More details equals higher quality of student final
product.
Since adult online learners come from diverse backgrounds,
do not assume students will understand the purpose of the
 assignment. Be prepared to tell students what you expect
(e.g. word count, citation format, number of sources, etc.)
and how it should be done (e.g. upload to Moodle versus
email attachment).
3. Give incremental due dates.
Large comprehensive assignments due at the course finality
leads to unfocused, or even plagiarized, writing. Break down
a large assignment into several smaller assignments due
sporadically throughout the term. In turn, students receive
valuable feedback incrementally as they progress throughout
the course.
4. Allow students to brainstorm for topics.
Allow students to brainstorm topics or share with other
students using the Moodle Discussion Board form. Or
consider offering students a choice among 3-4 essay
questions, case scenarios, or case studies. By allowing
student choice, students will find a greater connection in
their writing which in turn will lead to better final submissions.
5. Give examples.
In addition to clear directions, students also appreciate a
visual piece of the final product. If you decide to use another
student’s work, be sure to ask permission to use from the
 student. Post model assignments on your Moodle course
shell.
6. Share student evaluation tools.
Share rubrics, or other evaluation tool, early in the
assignment rather than at the end so students may clarify
expectations firsthand. Post rubrics or evaluation tools on
your Moodle course shell so students may refer to it when
necessary.

—---------------------------------------
Introduction to waiting line models
Waiting line models are mathematical models used to study waiting

lines. Another name for the domain is queuing theory.

Waiting lines can be set up in many ways. In a theme park ride, you

generally have one line. In the supermarket, you have multiple

cashiers with each their own waiting line. And at a fast-food

restaurant, you may encounter situations with multiple servers and a

single waiting line.

The goal of waiting line models is to describe expected result KPIs of a

waiting line system, without having to implement them for empirical

observation. Result KPIs for waiting lines can be for instance

reduction of staffing costs or improvement of guest satisfaction.

When to use waiting line models?

Waiting line models can be used as long as your situation meets the

idea of a waiting line. This means that there has to be a specific

process for arriving clients (or whatever object you are modeling), and

a specific process for the servers (usually with the departure of clients

out of the system after having been served).

A functional organizational structure has its own set of merits
and demerits for a medium-sized construction enterprise.
Here are some of the key advantages and disadvantages:
**Merits of a Functional Organization:**

1. **Specialization:** In a functional structure, employees are

grouped based on their areas of expertise or functions, such
as engineering, project management, procurement, and
construction. This specialization allows individuals to
develop deep knowledge and skills in their specific domain.

2. **Efficiency:** Functional organizations tend to be efficient

because they allow employees to focus on their core
functions. This can lead to increased productivity and better
use of resources.

3. **Clear Reporting Lines:** The hierarchy in a functional

organization is well-defined, with clear reporting lines. This
helps in accountability and decision-making processes.

4. **Resource Utilization:** Resources, including equipment

and personnel, can be efficiently allocated to different
projects because managers can draw on specialized teams
as needed.

5. **Cost Control:** With specialized teams, it's easier to

monitor and control costs within each functional area. This
can be especially important in the construction industry
where cost overruns can be common.

**Demerits of a Functional Organization:**

1. **Communication Challenges:** Functional organizations

can sometimes suffer from communication bottlenecks
because information needs to flow through various levels of
hierarchy. This can slow down decision-making and project
execution.

2. **Lack of Integration:** Since teams are organized by

functions, there can be a lack of integration across various
phases of a construction project. This might lead to
coordination issues and delays.

3. **Reduced Flexibility:** Functional structures can be less

adaptable to change or unexpected challenges. If a project
requires a multidisciplinary approach, the rigid functional
structure may hinder quick responses.

4. **Duplication of Resources:** In a functional structure,

each functional area may have its own set of resources and
personnel. This can lead to duplication of efforts and
resources, which might not be cost-effective.

5. **Limited Accountability:** Functional managers may

prioritize the success of their individual departments over the
overall success of the project, potentially leading to a lack of
project-focused accountability.
6. **Innovation Challenges:** Functional structures may
discourage cross-functional collaboration and innovation,
which are increasingly important in the construction industry
as new technologies and techniques emerge.

In summary, while a functional organizational structure offers

advantages like specialization and efficiency, it may also
face challenges related to communication, integration, and
flexibility in a medium-sized construction enterprise. The
choice of organizational structure should be based on the
specific needs and goals of the company and the nature of
the construction projects it undertakes. Some organizations
may choose to adopt hybrid structures or matrix structures to
address some of the limitations of a pure functional
structure.

**Labour Welfare Schemes:**

Labour welfare schemes are initiatives undertaken by

governments, employers, or organizations to promote the
well-being and welfare of workers and their families. These
schemes aim to improve the quality of life for employees,
ensure their safety, and protect their rights. Here are some
common labour welfare schemes:

1. **Healthcare Benefits:** Many employers provide health

insurance, medical facilities, and regular health check-ups to
employees and their dependents. This ensures access to
quality healthcare and promotes employee well-being.

2. **Provident Fund:** Provident fund schemes require both

employers and employees to contribute a portion of the
employee's salary to a fund that can be withdrawn at
retirement or in times of financial need.

3. **Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs):** EAPs offer

counseling and support services to help employees deal with
personal or work-related issues such as stress, addiction, or
family problems.
4. **Childcare Facilities:** Some employers provide childcare
centers or subsidies for employees with young children,
making it easier for working parents to balance their
responsibilities.

5. **Education and Training:** Companies often offer training

and skill development programs to enhance employees'
professional growth and career prospects.

6. **Housing Schemes:** In some cases, employers or

governments provide affordable housing or housing loans to
workers, helping them secure safe and stable living
arrangements.

7. **Safety Measures:** Employers are required to

implement safety measures in the workplace to prevent
accidents and provide protective gear to workers who face
occupational hazards.
8. **Maternity and Paternity Benefits:** Maternity leave and
maternity benefits are essential labour welfare provisions for
expectant mothers. Some companies also offer paternity
leave to new fathers.

**Labour Laws:**

Labour laws are a set of legal regulations and statutes that

govern the relationship between employers, employees,
trade unions, and the government. These laws are crucial for
ensuring fair and equitable treatment of workers and
protecting their rights. Some key aspects of labour laws
include:

1. **Employment Contracts:** Labour laws often define the

terms and conditions of employment, including working
hours, wages, benefits, and termination procedures.
2. **Minimum Wage Laws:** These laws establish the
minimum wage rates that employers must pay to workers to
ensure they receive a basic standard of living.

3. **Occupational Health and Safety Laws:** Regulations

pertaining to workplace safety, the prevention of accidents,
and the provision of protective equipment to workers are
integral to safeguarding employees' well-being.

4. **Social Security Laws:** Social security laws provide for

benefits like pensions, provident funds, and insurance to
ensure financial security for employees and their families.

5. **Industrial Relations Laws:** These laws address the

rights of workers to form trade unions, engage in collective
bargaining, and strike to protect their interests.

6. **Anti-Discrimination Laws:** Labour laws often include

provisions against discrimination based on factors like
gender, race, religion, or disability to promote equal
opportunities for all workers.

7. **Employment of Children and Women:** Regulations on

child labor and working conditions for women are critical for
protecting vulnerable segments of the workforce.

8. **Termination and Severance Laws:** These laws outline

the legal procedures and compensation requirements when
terminating employment contracts.

Labour welfare schemes and labour laws play a vital role in

creating a just and equitable work environment, ensuring the
welfare and rights of employees, and promoting social and
economic development. These measures vary by country
and are subject to change over time, reflecting evolving
societal values and economic conditions.
Safety Precautions for multistoreyed
Buildings
– By Mr. Manoj Yadhav
Today due to rapid growth in urban population, and space constraints, many Multi
Storeyed constructions are coming up. We not only have to complete the construction in
a stipulated time, and give quality construction but also look after safety of our
workplace and workmen.
According to a survey by Government, there are around 30000 minor or major accidents
every year at construction sites in India. Looking to high volume of construction industry,
these numbers of accidents are not very significant. But still, with a little awareness,
care, and a little training, these accidents can largely be prevented, and minimized. In
construction industry hazards are new everyday, as the job process is not set. Accidents
are also due to migrant and illiterate labour, who is part of any construction site.

In construction industry, training of engineers, supervisors and

labour, in safety rules is of great importance. Also we have to set certain rules invariably
to be followed by all, sort of mandatory. Since most of the labour is illiterate, regular
hammering on safety issues will lead to awareness. At least once a week, instructions
be repeated to labour and also to supervisors, so as to bring culture of safe working.
The most important aspect is management’s commitment towards safety. Normally in
construction industry we see safety offices is appointed and issue forgotten. The owners
and senior staff are the main persons who often break the rules. They should
themselves, sincerely and with responsibility follow all the rules, which will have a great
impact on workmen.

The main hazard while constructing multistoried

building is in working at height. Shuttering work needs to be designed properly and
erected rigidly. It should have sufficient spaces within to allow safe passage to workmen
working under. And basically we have to see that whenever a workman is working at
height (2m & above) he wears a safety belt and ties it properly to some permanent
building members, or rigid scaffolding which can take his weight if he falls.
Also when work on height is going on, the area should be barricaded with red tapes
having sign of danger, and every one instructed about the barricaded part.
The other thing, which we have to look into, is housekeeping. In construction,
housekeeping does not mean sweeping everything on site. It means “A place for
everything and everything at its place.” Normally what happens is when we receive the
material on site it is stacked in proper way, but during use and after use it is just
scattered on the site and not arranged properly and the reason we get for not arranging
it properly is “we are going to use again”, but we do not realise that everyone has to
work here and someone may fall down after hitting the material which can lead to
severe accidents. Also protruding nails in shuttering materials are not removed properly,
there is every chance that someone walking may just walk at that level or over it and
nail will have his head or his foot, as the case maybe. Wearing of helmets and safety
shoes (having steel plate in sole and steel bracket to guard toe) will greatly reduce risk.
Scaffoldings are a major thing for construction of high rise buildings as it has much
usage, but once a scaffold is erected and during using it do we really check it? Whether
it has proper access whether scaffold is erected on firm ground level and also the
bracings and working platform. If we check the above points scaffold can be safe to use.
Otherwise we can imagine the situation in case scaffolding falls, or tilts.
Different machines are used for construction purpose e.g. Concrete Pumps, Cranes,
JCB, Poclain, Concrete Mixers, Dumpers, Vibrators, Cutters etc. For machines, we must
follow the safety requirements as per manufacturer’s manual. Also some common
points like whenever a crane or JCB, Poclain is at work no one should stand in swing
area of machine and if possible it can be barricaded. Machinery having moving parts
can be covered with effective guards. Ensure that hand brakes work and are effective.
Driver must carry valid driving licence.

To reduce pollution and difficulty of storing fuel in bulk, more and

more electrical machinery is used. Electrical safety is also of great importance as all
electrical installations are temporary. There is general tendency of not using plugs and
people give 2-3 connections from single socket. Also fuse wire is not used as per
specification because the electrical board is overloaded and the fuse trips every time
now and then. Also electrical cables should be joined properly and only certified
electrician should work on electrical installations. Cables, used for construction work
must invariably be shielded and doubly insulated.
There is every chance of fire on site as we have to use and store materials like wood,
cloth, and fuels at site. Supervisors can be given training in use of fire extinguishers,
other fire fighting equipment, which has to be maintained in efficient working order.
Storage of sufficient quantity of water will greatly help in reducing fire damage.
The following points are of great importance:
● Barricade all excavations, floor openings, pile openings.
● Do not allow children on site. Provide separate play area for them if they are
there. Having crèche on site will not only solve this problem but also will serve
to social cause.
● Make a plan for emergency with duties and responsibility of key persons, who
can be given emergency- switches, connected to hooter.
● Plan critical activities in advance.
● Before starting any activity ensure everyone knows what is to be done.
● Various activity checklists to be followed during construction.
● Location for store, Yards, Godowns should be properly located.
● Regular and meaningful training to staff as well as workmen.
● Do not provide loose electric connections. Also provide electric sockets at
corner (out of way) at same height, out of reach of children and other labour
working in the vicinity.
● Maintain proper First-Aid kit on site. Supervisor must be trained in giving
construction First-Aid. Tie up with ambulance, which should be available on
call.
Safety can be achieved with only teamwork and not otherwise. Everyone must be aware
of safety arrangements and equiped to use it.

Arranging safe and healthy environment for labourers while they work at a

construction site is of prime importance for the site-owner as well as for the

workers. It is the client’s (site-owner/promoter) sole duty to make sure that

contractor has made necessary arrangements to provide adequate welfare

facilities to labourers. On bigger projects i.e. longer than 30 days, client must
ensure that the construction work does not start unless site welfare units are

methodically arranged for the labourers.

The construction site must have following welfare facilities for labourers

working hands:

​ Constant supply and accessibility of safe drinking water

​ Availability of changing rooms and lockers
​ Living Accommodations/Shelter
​ Sanitary and toilet facilities
​ Washing facilities
​ Canteen
​ Facilities for Rest
​ Arrangement of first aid in case of any emergency medical situation.

Welfare facilities on construction site should be provided at a central location

accessible within a reasonable distance or time. Following temporary

amenities should be made or provided.

Welfare Facilities on Construction Site for Labourers

Good Quality Drinking Water for

Labourers on Construction Site
Drinking water jugs should be placed at various accessible places with clean

cups for drinking water.

Clean and quality drinking water is essential for workers at the construction

site regardless of what type of work they do. Workers should always be given

easy access to a source of clean water to prevent the risk of dehydration.

Therefore, special attention is absolutely essential to water quality and

quantity.

There should be a readily available source of wholesome drinking water

ideally from the mains. If that is not available for the time being, bottles or

tanks of quality water should be provided to maintain the water supply.

If you are using plastic tank then you must be aware of its safety

HOUSE CONSTRUCTION
Is Plastic Water Tank Safe?
​

​ Kinjal Mistry

​ May 4, 2018

Mark clearly on the drinking water supply to differentiate between drinkable

and non-drinkable water. Drinking water source at the outlet requires cups/

glasses or other drinking containers to drink water safely and hygienically.

Drinking-water should not be placed near unsafe point. For example, drinking

water should be kept at a safe distance from the area/spot where it can be

contaminated by chemicals, dust, or other hazardous substances. Whatever

may be the source of drinking water at any place on the site, it must be clearly

marked as drinking-water with a suitable sign or in words or by both in local

language.

Facility of Changing Room and

Lockers for Construction
Workers on Site
Provisions should be made on site to secure storage facilities for personal

clothing to be not worn on site as well as for protective clothing i.e. safety

boot, high visibility jackets needed for site work. There should be privacy and

convenience for both men and women to make their changes separately.

Where there is a chance of protective site clothing contamination, separate

facility should be provided for storing every day and site clothing. Also,

adequate number of secure hooks should be provided for hanging clothes or

cupboard if possible. Lockers also should be provided to place their valuables.

Living Accommodations/Shelter
for Workers on Construction Site

The provision of labour’s accommodation or shelter is usually related with the

immigration of an external workforce. There are various reasons for this, i.e.

either the local labour supply or skilled labour is inadequate, or the workers

are not available due to the remote area of the site or maybe because the

work needs certain special skills from the labours hence availability of

workforce may seem compromised.

The shelter should be provided either of building type or in a conventional

container for the resting and sleeping purpose. This can also be a temporary

but safe construction for accommodation of the on-site labours.

The accommodation allotted should be suitable by its location, and it must be

safe, clean and at the minimum should meet the basic needs of workers. It is

important that there is enough protection against exposure to fire, wind, flood

and other natural hazards. Living accommodations for workers must be

located within a reasonable distance from the worksite.

Sanitary and Toilets Facilities for

Construction Labourers
These facilities should include water closets, portable urinals, and toilet. Toilet

facilities also need running water and flushing toilet, which should be well

connected to drainage. The other way is to provide it with a built-in water

supply and drainage tank.

The construction workers should have the facility of accessing an adequate

number of toilets. Adequate services mean that enough bathrooms or toilets

should be constructed so that people do not have to wait for long time. Toilet

arrangements are important to avoid all types of contamination and to prevent

the risk of spreading infectious disease if any.

The toilet facilities should also be located conveniently and should be easily

accessible. Shorter distance from the worksite to the toilet means reducing

excessive and unproductive time. Toilets should be well ventilated, well lit and

clean with standard washing facilities adjacent to it for washing purpose after

every use.

Sanitary and toilet facilities should never be shared between male and female

labours. If you do so, then provide doors with secure lock. Specific additional

sanitary facilities must be provided for women.

Workers not only need to understand the utility to maintain high level of

personal hygiene but also they should be aware enough to avoid infection and

disease transmission risk, which often becomes prevalent due to insufficient

sanitary facilities.

Washing Facilities for Workers at

the Construction Site
In the construction field, work is mostly a bit messy type which includes dusty

and dirty ambiance. It also includes the handling of chemicals and other

hazardous substances. Thus, washing facilities is a prerequisite here for

health safety like ensuring prevention from chemical contamination while

eating, and skin damage due to the side effect of chemicals. Besides that,

workers should be able to clear grime and dirt accumulated on body in daily

course which may cause different types of diseases and sickness.

Washing facilities may include provision of clean and orderly placed basins or

sink, which should be large enough for people to wash their face, hands arms,

and legs. It should have the supply of cold and hot, or lukewarm water. The

facility of availability of running water with washing agents or soap for the

cleaning purpose should be adequate for the all the workers.

Canteen for Construction

Labourers on the Working Site
The food-canteen should be adequately protected from the outside climate

where one can comfortably eat food brought from home or supplied by the

appointed vendors. Canteen may also be used as rest point provided there is

no obligation to purchase food. If canteen service is provided, it saves the

time for the construction workers.

Facilities like tables, benches, individual drinking cups and plates should also

be provided in a canteen. Canteen must be located little away from

workstation to minimize the random contact with dust, dirt or other dangerous

substances.

Good hygiene standards are imperative in a canteen. Facilities must be

maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, as well as in compliance with the

standard hygiene and safety requirements.

Facilities for Rest on

Construction Site
Restrooms or rest areas should be well equipped with tables and seating for

sufficient number of persons. They should also have arrangements for meals

to be prepared. It should also safeguard labourers from harsh weather

conditions.

Construction labours start their work early depending upon weather. They

start their day with alertness and with productive work schedules but their

activity level may get reduced as the day starts rolling. Therefore, frequently

taken short breaks are much better than infrequent long breaks. Hence

comfortable rest facilities should be provided for them.

Rest areas should not to be used to store any materials or equipment as their

purpose is to provide shelter away from wind, dust and rain. The rest facilities

should also have adequate number of chairs and tables, facility for getting

boiled water and an arrangement of warming food i.e. gas or electrical heating

ring.

These days Mobile Welfare Units are widely available and used to serve the

labourers with basic facilities for their welfare. These are portable temporary

units/cabins which can be easily moved from one place to another. Mobile

welfare units consist of following arrangements:

​ Table and benched seating arrangement

​ Drinking water supply
​ Recirculating toilet and recirculating sink
​ Clean Food consumption area
​ Proper commercial heating facility
​ Adequate ventilation
According to ‘S. Shirur and S. Torgal’ (Published in: Enhancing safety and

health management techniques in Indian construction industry), the Indian

construction labour force is 7.5% of the total world labour force but the

professionals suffer from 16.4% of fateful global occupational accidents.

Presently, the Indian construction industry is quite large and complex. At par

with the development of construction industry, drawbacks in terms of health

and safety aspects are also witnessed quite frequently. In the Construction

Industry, most of the labourers migrate from one place to another, so most of

them often don’t get basic facilities on construction site. That may result in

health hazards for them as well as it affects their families negatively. By

providing the above-mentioned welfare facilities on construction site, the

promoters/developers can help in improving the productivity of labourers and

contribute to keep the site clean and hygienic. Worker’s efficiency can be

increased significantly with sufficient welfare facilities on a construction site.

Contractors must maintain the facilities throughout the project till the project

gets officially concluded.

Developing an organization for effective and efficient work in civil engineering

requires careful planning, structure, and adherence to certain principles.

These principles can help ensure that projects are executed smoothly,

resources are utilized optimally, and goals are achieved efficiently. Here are

some of the main principles for developing an organization in civil engineering:

1. **Clear Organizational Structure:**

- Establish a clear organizational hierarchy with defined roles,

responsibilities, and reporting lines. This ensures that each team member

knows their place within the organization and who to report to.
2. **Competent Leadership:**

- Appoint capable and experienced leaders who can effectively manage and

lead teams. Leadership is crucial for decision-making, conflict resolution, and

project coordination.

3. **Effective Communication:**

- Promote open and transparent communication channels within the

organization. Effective communication ensures that information flows freely

among team members, departments, and project stakeholders.

4. **Project Management:**

- Implement robust project management methodologies and tools to plan,

monitor, and control project activities. Effective project management helps in

meeting deadlines and budgets.

5. **Team Building:**

- Foster a collaborative work environment where team members trust and

support each other. Team cohesion enhances productivity and creativity.

6. **Resource Allocation:**
 - Allocate resources (both human and material) efficiently based on project

needs. Proper resource allocation prevents wastage and delays.

7. **Quality Assurance:**

- Implement quality control and assurance processes to ensure that work

meets the required standards and specifications. Quality assurance is vital in

civil engineering to avoid rework and ensure safety.

8. **Risk Management:**

- Develop risk management strategies to identify, assess, and mitigate

potential risks in projects. Effective risk management minimizes project

disruptions and cost overruns.

9. **Continuous Improvement:**

- Encourage a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Regularly

review and assess project performance to identify areas for enhancement.

10. **Adaptability:**

- Civil engineering organizations should be flexible and able to adapt to

changing project requirements, new technologies, and evolving industry

standards.

11. **Legal and Regulatory Compliance:**

 - Ensure strict adherence to local, national, and international laws, codes,

and regulations governing construction and engineering projects.

12. **Safety and Environmental Considerations:**

- Prioritize safety and environmental sustainability in all projects. Safety

measures and environmental impact assessments should be integral to the

organization's culture.

13. **Client-Centric Approach:**

 - Focus on understanding and meeting client needs and expectations. A

satisfied client is more likely to provide repeat business and positive referrals.

14. **Cost Control:**

- Implement robust cost control measures to monitor project expenses and

prevent cost overruns.

15. **Technology Integration:**

- Embrace and integrate modern technologies, such as Building Information

Modeling (BIM), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and project

management software, to enhance efficiency and accuracy.

16. **Ethical Conduct:**

- Uphold high ethical standards and professional integrity in all dealings,

both internally and with clients and stakeholders.

By adhering to these principles, civil engineering organizations can create a

framework for effective and efficient project execution, which is essential for

delivering high-quality infrastructure projects on time and within budget.

Additionally, these principles can contribute to the long-term success and

reputation of the organization within the industry.

Describe Each of the Three Major Types of

Organizational Structure

Functional Departmentalization
The most common organizational structure is the functional or departmental form. In

this structure, all of the employees of a specific function are brought together to form a

department. Examples of these individual departments are sales, accounting,

marketing, finance, research and production.

A functional structure has a firm hierarchy; each department has a separate

management staff and upward reporting lines of authority. A department manager may

report up one level to a vice-president who might be in charge of several departments,

such as finance, marketing and IT. This vice-president could then report to the CEO of

the company.

Functional organizations are effective for large corporations with homogeneous product

lines. Smaller companies need structures that are more creative and can adapt more

quickly to changes in the marketplace. Employees in small organizations may be

responsible for several functions at the same time.

Advantages: A significant advantage of a functional structure is the focus and

concentration of a group of specialists on their particular skills. Putting all of the

company's marketing personnel together in one department allows them to more easily

share ideas to improve their expertise and become more efficient. Training is more

focused on the functional area.

The chain of command is clear in a functional structure. Each person knows the limits

of his decision authority and when to pass the issue to a supervisor.

The opportunity for promotion is usually clearer in the departments. Junior positions

can aspire to higher levels with more training and experience.

Disadvantages: A disadvantage of the departmental structure is the limitation to

communication between employees in different departments. While the managers of

each department may talk with each other, employees are more isolated from each

other and don't have naturally open avenues of communication.

Another problem with a functional structure is the possibility that employees will only

see the company's operations through the lens of their own occupations. They develop

"tunnel vision," which prohibits them from seeing the strategic direction of the business

and the viewpoints of people in other departments. Employees with this narrow focus

have difficulty grasping the views and perspectives of other departments. This is also

known as the "silo" effect.

Recent attempts have been made to solve this communication problem by creating

teams with members from different departments.

Divisional Structures

A divisional structure organizes a company's activities into geographical, products,

markets or service groups. As example, a company might have one division to handle

sales in the United States and another for European sales. Or a division to manage blue

widgets and another to handle green gizmos.

Each division would have a complete set of functional departments. Thus, the green

gizmos division would have its own departments for sales, purchasing, accounting,

finance, engineering and so forth. Companies with numerous products, markets or

regions prefer to organize their businesses into divisions.

Advantages: Accountability is clear with divisional structures. Each one operates

separately and is responsible for managing its activities. The results, good or bad, are

easily identified.

A divisional structure works best when quick decisions are needed to react to rapidly

changing market conditions. Local managers are in a better position to respond sooner

to competitive threats rather than having to pass information up a chain of command

and wait for a decision to come back down.

Employees in divisions develop their own unique cultures. For example, personnel in a

division set up for retail customers become more closely attuned to the needs of their

market demographics and can tailor their activities to those wants.

Disadvantages: Divisions cost more to set up and operate. When a corporation has

numerous divisions, the total number of employees will likely be higher compared to an

organization aligned into functional departments. The same functions when spread

across several divisions will not be as productive and efficient as when they are

concentrated in a single department.

Companies with separate divisions may lose the benefits of economies of scale. Take

purchasing, for example. A corporation might get better discounts for office supplies

when purchasing large quantities for all divisions together rather than placing smaller

orders at the division level.

Inter-divisional rivalries can become a problem when division managers don't have

incentives to work together. Managers may even work against other divisions to gain an

advantage since they have clear accountability for the results of their own division and

don't care about the performance of the corporation as a whole.

Matrix

Companies that are creating and launching new products or initiating different

marketing campaigns will form matrix structures to manage the projects.

A matrix organizational structure attempts to gain the benefits of functional

organizations by combining specialized skills into a project grid. Matrix organizations

are designed to foster cooperation between functional silos so that similar activities

can be managed more efficiently to achieve a common goal.

Matrices have two chains of command: one for the project and another for the

functional skills which are brought into the project. Project managers have authority

horizontally across the departments. At the same time, employees still report to the

department heads for their function.

Advantages: When a matrix organization is created, it has a clear objective. It may be to

introduce a new product or design a new marketing campaign for another demographic.

A matrix can be dissolved once its mission is complete.

A matrix project organization structure pulls together the employees with the particular

skills and knowledge required for the project. This gives the employees the ability to

work with co-workers from other disciplines as teams. Together, they communicate

better and share more innovative concepts that are isolated by the silos of departmental

and functional organizations.

Disadvantages: Matrix structures are more complex. Lines of authority run vertically and

horizontally with employees working for two bosses. Employees can often receive

conflicting directives from project and functional managers, creating stress and

confusion when setting priorities.

Managers for matrix projects need special talents. Since they don't have singular

authority, they must be able to compromise and negotiate. They need to have tolerance

for conflict and be able to handle difficult situations.

Deciding on the best organizational structure for your company is critical to success. It

requires thought and analysis about which structure will work at the moment and if it

can be adapted to remain effective with growth. Making changes in organizational

structure can be painful for management and employees, so it is important to get it right

at the beginning. Describe how the firm is organized now and look to see which form

would make the most sense.