Exemplar Memorandum -5- NC(V) 2009
CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISION LEVEL 4
NATIONAL CERTIFICATE (VOCATIONAL)
2009
CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISION
NQF LEVEL 4
EXEMPLARThis memorandum consists of 14 pages.
QUESTION 1: Role players and their responsibilities ON site
1.1 / List FOUR key persons involved in a construction project. / (2)¨ client
¨ Architect
¨ Structural engineer
¨ Site supervisor
¨ Electrical engineer
¨ Site agent
¨ Quantity surveyor
¨ Principal Contractor any other appropriate person.
NB ½ mark per correct answer
1.2 / Using approximately 5 -10 lines of the page, briefly describe the role played by an architect on a building site.
PRELIMIMARY ENOUIRIES
The client consults an architect through either by recommendation or through social contacts. He then discusses the proposed project and these discussions will centre around:
¨ His needs (accommodation)
¨ His resources (construction budget)
¨ The architect will advise on the desirability of commissioning consultants to design specialised parts of the project.
From a draft, the architect advises the client of any discrepancies, viz. that the budget could be too low for the project. (any 2 x ½ = 1)
Primary Duties
¨ Periodic inspection of works on to ensure quality of materials and workmanship.
¨ Issue variation instructions.
¨ Chairing of site meetings as may be necessary to co-ordinate all aspects of the works.
¨ Carry out final inspection and certify satisfactory completion of the contract.
(any 2 x ½ = 1)
Less Obvious Duties
¨ To be available for discussion with client during course of execution of his contract.
¨ Take full responsibility for the contract under his direction.
¨ To be available to provide guidance to those to whom the work has been delegated.
¨ The co-ordination of consultants and advisory services on the contract.
(any 2 x ½ = 1)
QUESTION 2: SITE Administration and record keeping
2.1 / Explain what is meant by the term critical path analysis / (3)¨ The critical path analysis is a mathematically based algorithm for scheduling a set of project activities.
¨ It is an important tool for effective project management.
¨ It is commonly used with all forms of projects, including construction, software development, research projects, product development, engineering, and plant maintenance, among others.
¨ Any project with interdependent activities can apply this method of scheduling
Any Three
2.2 / What is meant by the term Gant Chart?
A Gant / bart chart is a popular type of bar chart that illustrates a project schedule. Gantt / bar charts illustrate the start and finish dates of the terminal elements and summary elements of a project. / (2)
2.3 / Draw up a Gant / Bar chart for ABD contractors, which will depict the following information. The duration of the contract is 11 months and it started during the month of June 2006. Contract number is 78. / (10)
2.3.1
2.3.2 / Site clearance is completed duration 2 months
Excavation is completed duration 1 month
2.3.3
2.3.4
2.3.5
2.3.6 / Concrete footing are 25% towards completion duration 2 months
foundation Brickwork has not yet started duration 1 month
Concrete slab has not started yet duration 3 months
Brickwork on super structure not started… duration 1 month
ABD CONSTRUCTION
Contract No 76
year / 1999 / 2000
Activities Months / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4
Clear site
Actual complete
Excavate
Conc footing
Brick work / found ht
Concrete slab
Brickwork/sup struct
Mark Allocation
Correct bar chart
¨ Heading ü
¨ Year ü
¨ Months ü
¨ Activities ü
¨ Contract No ü.= 5
¨ Showing correct duration on all activities = 2
¨ Showing correct progress on all activities = 3
10
2.4 / Stipulate SIX items that must appear on a workers pay slip, according to the Basic Conditions of employment act.¨ Employers name and address
¨ Workers name and occupation
¨ The period for which payment is made
¨ Total salary of wages
¨ Deductions
¨ The gross Wage
¨ The net wage
¨ The rate at which the wages were calculated
¨ The number of hours worked and overtime.
¨ The rate of overtime Any SIX x ½ = (3)
2.5 / When writing a memo, the foreman protects himself from any repercussions which may occur on a later date. Mention FOUR important items that will appear in a memo written by the foreman. / (2)
2.5.1 Who it is from
2.5.2 Who it is to
2.5.3 The contract and the job number.
2.5.4 The Date
2.5.5 The signature of the person writing it.
2.5.6 A signature of receipt, if any plant, materials, or money changes hands.
Any 4 x ½ = (2)
[20]
Question 3: Supervision of Health and Safety on site
3.1 / Risk Assessment forms part of the Health and Safety plan for any construction project, Identify FIVE items to be included into a Risk Assessment.¨ The identification of risks and hazards to which persons may be exposed to.
¨ The analysis and evaluation of the risk and hazards should be identified.
¨ A documented plan of safe work procedures to mitigate, reduce or control the risks and hazards that have been identified.
¨ A monitoring plan.
¨ A review plan. / (5)
3.2 / A co-worker has been injured, by falling from a scaffold. Briefly explain your role as the supervisor on site. Include the procedure of reporting in your answer. / (10)
¨ telephone the Ambulance stating the following: the address of the site, t
¨ The company’s name
¨ The condition of the injured.
¨ Get to the scene of the accident with all the necessary equipment, e.g. the first aid kit, blankets etc.
¨ On arrival find out exactly what happened, or if possible what caused the accident.
¨ Get eye witnesses to relate what happened and record it in your diary
¨ When the injured had been cared for, inform the next of kin and compile a report which will reflect
(a) the name of the victim
(b) place on site
(c) possible cause of the accident
(d) height of fall
(e) any deficiencies of safety regulations
(f) the names of witnesses.
(g) The time of the accident.
(h) The extent of the injuries as far as possible.
(i) If foul play is suspected, the police should be notified.
¨ The Workman’s Compensation should be informed
Any TEN
[15]
Question 4: LEAD AND SUPERVISE TEAMS
4.1 / Name 5 qualities of a Supervisor.¨ Human relationship skills
¨ Loyalty
¨ Technical expert
¨ leadership qualities
¨ Can work under pressure
¨ Dedication and dependability
¨ High standard of quality
Any 5 = 5
4.2 / List FIVE functions of a Supervisor on a building site.
¨ The Supervisor is a leader that co-ordinates, and directs the work of others to accomplish specific goals and objectives.
¨ A supervisor-guides his subordinates so that they produce the desired quantity and quality of work within the desired time.
¨ He seeks to promote job-satisfaction, need-satisfaction and high morale among his workers.
¨ His behaviour and relationships help’s motivate employees to work toward approved goals.
¨ A supervisor is an employee to whom authority has been delegated to direct the work of others and who is responsible for their output of work.
¨ He is a person in a position which has been established and defined by the organization.
¨ Today the supervisor's job combines some of the talents of the "foreman" (as leader in motivational aspects, face-to-face communication, training and coaching). Any 5 = 5
4.3 / Draw up an agenda for a client site meeting involving external stakeholders. The meeting will take place at 14h00. / (10)
. The Agenda for meetings should include the following:
§ Place and time of meeting.
§ E.g. A site meting will be held on Monday 14 May 2009 at 14h00 in the site office of the contractor
§ A list of persons to be present
§ E.g. The following persons requested to attend. Mr A -supervisor, Mr B – QS, Mr C - Architect, Mr D - roofing sub Contractor, Mr E – Storeman
§ The acceptance of previous minutes. - The minutes of the previous meeting was proposed for acceptance by Mr A and seconded by Mr E
§ Matters arising from the minutes.- Any related points
§ Progress of the works and causes of any delays.
§ Labour, plant or material shortages.
§ outstanding information.
§ A review of nominated sub-contractors and suppliers.
§ variations and/or claims for extra.
§ Delay’s
§ Inclement weather
§ Any other business and the date of the next meeting.
Or any other appropriate points Any 10 items x 1 = (10)
[20]
Question 5: MONITORING AND CONTROLLING
5.1 / List FOUR different types of construction resources that have to be taken into account when calculating costs.¨ Labour
¨ Materials
¨ Tools and equipment
¨ Plant and machinery
¨ Fuels
¨ Consumables Any 4 x 1 = (4)
5.2 / The table below depict a costing schedule of the foundation of an ordinary dwelling. The item Setting out has already been done. Calculate the following:
5.2.1 The total profit /loss
5.2.2 The rate for the labour and material items per unit cost. / (1)
(7)
Revised
Actual / Allowable / unit
Element / Resources / Unit / Measured / cost / costs / Profit / rate
1 / Setting out / m 3 / 1 / 500.00 / 400.00 / -100.00 / 500.00
2 / Excavations / m 3 / 16 / 1,500.00 / 1,200.00 / -300.00 / 93.75
3 / Casting concrete foundations / labour / m 3 / 4 / 1,600.00 / 1,800.00 / 200.00 / 400.00
4 / material / m 3 / 4 / 3,000.00 / 2,800.00 / -200.00 / 750.00
5 / Build foundation brickwork / labour / m 2 / 9 / 7,200.00 / 9,500.00 / 2,300.00 / 800.00
6 / material / m 2 / 9 / 1,200.00 / 1,200.00 / 0.00 / 133.33
7 / Backfill foundation walls / labour / m 3 / 6 / 480.00 / 630.00 / 150.00 / 80.00
8 / material / m 3 / 6 / 200.00 / 150.00 / -50.00 / 33.33
9 / Clean filling under surface bed / labour / m 3 / 38 / 11,400.00 / 12,000.00 / 600.00 / 300.00
10 / material / m 3 / 39 / 4,750.00 / 4,000.00 / -750.00 / 121.79
11 / Concrete slab / labour / m 3 / 9 / 3,800.00 / 4,200.00 / 400.00 / 422.22
12 / material / m 3 / 9 / 4,050.00 / 4,000.00 / -50.00 / 450.00
TOTAL / 39,680.00 / 41,880.00 / 2,200.00
5.3 / Using the information in 5.2, evaluate the possibilities of the contractor improving the profit. Give reasons for your answer.
¨ Actual costs could be less than the allowable costs as a result of better productivity
¨ Shop around for a better price on materials as the above material cost could be too high
¨ Increase productivity but retain the same high quality of work
¨ cut labour cost.
¨ Introduce incentive schemes
¨ Manual labour versus mechanisation (hand digging compared to machine digging
¨ Any 4 = (4)
5.4 / Identify FOUR ways on how to improve productivity. / (4)
¨ Communicate effectively and improve supervisory visibility
¨ Identify and correct problems early.
¨ Track specific objectives
¨ Manage risks
¨ Plan correctly and early
¨ Introduce intrinsic and extrinsic rewards.
Any 4 = (4)
[20]
Question 6
6.1 / What do you understand by the term Communication in the workplace?Communication is the mutual exchange of ideas and interpretation of messages, between two or more persons, and is directed at achieving a specific goal by means of different media. / (3)
6.2 / Explain in your own words the objectives of Works Councils
Workplace Councils encourage employees’ participation in the workplace. This promotes the interests of employees and efficiency of business. These forums are committees of employees elected by employees in the workplace. They will meet with employers on a regular basis for consultation on work place issues.
The general function of Work Councils are:
· To promote the interest of all employees
· To enhance efficiency in the work place
· To be consulted by the employer on certain matters and to participate in joint decision-making on other matters. / (2)
6.3 / List 5 functions of a trade union representative.
The trade union representative can:
¨ Assist and represent employees in grievance and disciplinary proceedings;
¨ Monitor the employer's compliance with labour laws, for example, wage.
¨ Determinations and health and safety regulations
¨ Any collective agreement,
¨ report any contraventions to the employer, union or any responsible authority;
¨ Perform any other function agreed to between the union and the employer.
Any 5 = (5) / (5)
[10]
Question 7
7.1 / There are many potential sources of conflict. Explain at least THREE sources of conflict on a building site.7.1. DATA OR INFORMATION CONFLICTS are caused by :
¨ The lack of information
¨ Receiving misinformation
¨ Differing views on relevance of data
¨ Different interpretations of data
¨ Different assessment procedures
This type usually happens on site e.g. wrong drawings, wrong interpretation of drawings, messages or instruction.
RELATIONSHIP CONFLICTS are caused by:
¨ Strong emotions
¨ Misperceptions or stereotyping of people
¨ Poor or miscommunication
VALUE CONFLICTS are caused by:
¨ Values of people may differ in the work situation. Conflict may erupt when addressing values, e.g. a religious person will not want to get involved with a person who has no religious values.
INTEREST CONFLICTS are caused by:
§ Perceived or actual competition over interest’s. Competing for a position in the company.
§ Differing ideas about procedures
· Competing for a position in the work situation may result in conflict.
STRUCTURAL CONFLICTS are caused by:
§ Destructive patterns of behaviour or interaction
§ Unequal distribution of resources – whether it is tools, plant and equipment, or labour.
§ Unequal control or ownership – e.g. labour force, artisans,
Any 3 x 1 = (3)
7.2 / Using one of your answers in 7.1, indicate what impact it will have on your site.
¨ Most of the above types of conflict will have a effect on any site, and mostly
¨ Have a negative effect on production.
¨ As teamwork is an important aspect on any site, the challenge for a Supervisor would be to promote and work towards teamwork.
¨ Delay’s
¨ Poor communication
¨ Use of valuable management time wasted
Any 3 x 1 = (3)
7.3 / Explain how you as a supervisor will prevent any conflict on your site.
¨ Improve communication
¨ Be aware of Personal factors of behaviour
¨ Exercise gentle confrontation
¨ Defuse aggression
¨ Be a good listener.
¨ Avoidance of trifling matters
¨ Compromise
¨ Promote teamwork
Any 4 x 1 = (4)