Construction Manpower Safety & Dispute Resolution Notes

Construction Manpower Safety

• Safety: The state of being protected from harm or non-desirable outcomes, achieved through hazard control to maintain an acceptable level of risk.
• Hazard: A potential source of harm or adverse health effect.
• Risk: The likelihood of harm or adverse health effects from exposure to a hazard.
• Incident: An unanticipated event that does not cause significant losses.
• Accident: An unexpected event causing damage, injury, or harm.
• Unsafe Act: Actions by individuals endangering their safety or the safety of others.
• Unsafe Condition: A circumstance or situation threatening a person’s well-being or life.
• Manpower Safety Commitment: Providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees.

Basic Safety Rules for Construction Sites

• Keep construction sites tidy.
• Maintain clear passages at all times.
• Sort and safely pile materials, ensuring stacks are not too high.
• Fence or cover floor openings.
• Remove refuse promptly.
• Avoid dragging electrical cables on the ground or exposing them to water.
• Use electrical tools with an earth leakage circuit breaker.
• Handle chemicals with care.

Personal Safety Practices

• Wear protective equipment.
• Avoid alcohol and drugs while working.
• Maintain personal hygiene.
• Refrain from playing in the workplace.
• Report any unsafe conditions to a supervisor immediately.

General Safety Measures

• Ensure machines have guards installed on dangerous parts before operation.
• Avoid areas with insufficient lighting.
• Be vigilant of moving cranes, hooks, or lifting equipment.
• Check the condition of electrical cables before using any electrical installation or tool.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Equipment worn to minimize exposure to occupational hazards.
  • Head Protection: Avoid harm from falling materials or swinging objects.
  • Hand Protection: Protection against heat, cold, vibrations, burns, cuts, bacteriological risks, and chemical contamination.
  • Eye and Face Protection: Prevent injuries by wearing proper equipment.
  • Respiratory Protection: Filter out airborne contaminants like dust, fumes, gases, or infectious particles.
  • Hearing Protection: Reduce exposure to loud noise levels to prevent hearing damage.
  • Foot Protection: Protect feet and legs against extreme temperatures, crushing, piercing, slipping, cutting, chemicals, and electricity.
  • Body Protection: Specialized clothing against chemical splashes, biological hazards, extreme temperatures, or other risks.
  • Height and Access Protection: Measures to ensure the safety of workers at elevated locations, including safe access systems.

Types of Risks

• Cut: Injuries from sharp objects.
• Burn: Contact with hot surfaces, chemicals, or electrical hazards.
• Injury: Bruises, sprains, and fractures from slips, trips, and falls.
• Fatality: Death from severe accidents such as falls from heights or heavy machinery incidents.
• Explosion: Gas leaks, chemical reactions, or improper handling of flammable materials.
• Health Risk: Exposure to dust, asbestos, or toxic chemicals leading to respiratory problems.

Managing Safety and Health

• Safety Policy: Employers with 50 or more employees must have a written safety and health policy.

Information to Gather Before Starting Work

• Underground services
• Presence of live bare electrical conductors or insulated cables.
• Ground conditions
• Contract documents
• Proximity to schools, footpaths, and roads
• Other activities on the site

Common Facilities

• Provision of basic facilities to ensure employee safety, health, and welfare.

Site Access

• Adequate and safe pedestrian and vehicular traffic routes.

Site Boundaries

• Fencing to prevent unauthorized entry, especially in built-up areas or along traffic routes.

Frequently Cited OSHA Standards (FY 2004)

• Scaffolding:
  • Hazard: Improper setup leading to fall hazards.
  • Solution: Scaffolds must be sound, rigid, and able to carry their weight plus four times the maximum intended load.
• Fall Protection:
  • Hazard: Unstable surfaces, misuse of fall protection equipment, and human error.
  • Solution: Use aerial lifts or elevated platforms for safer elevated working surfaces.
• Excavation:
  • Hazard: Cave-ins, falling loads, hazardous atmospheres, and equipment-related accidents.
  • Solution: Use protective systems like sloping, shoring, or shielding, especially for trenches deeper than 5 feet.
• Ladders:
  • Hazard: Improper ladder selection, unstable placement, overloading, or lack of maintenance leading to falls.
  • Solution: Use the right ladder for the task, ensure stable ground, maintain three points of contact, and never exceed the weight limit.
• Head Protection:
  • Hazard: Head injuries from falling objects, tools, debris, or accidental bumps.
  • Solution: Wear hard hats meeting OSHA standards, properly fitted and maintained.
• Hazard Communication:
  • Hazard: Unknowingly handling dangerous substances due to lack of proper communication and labeling.
  • Solution: Ensure all hazardous chemicals are properly labeled, and workers are trained on hazard recognition and safety equipment use.
• Construction:
  • Hazard: Multiple hazards like falling, being struck by objects, electrical hazards, and exposure to harmful substances.
  • Solution: Follow OSHA’s general safety and health provisions, including training, protective equipment, and safety measures.
• Electrical:
  • Hazard: Exposed wiring, improper grounding, faulty installations, or unprotected electrical equipment.
  • Solution: Follow OSHA standards for electrical installation, use GFCIs, secure wiring, conduct regular inspections, and provide safety training.

Types of Workplace Hazards

• Safety Hazards: Unsafe working conditions that can cause injury, illness, and death.
• Biological Hazards: Exposure to harm or disease from working with animals, people, or infectious plant materials.
• Physical Hazards: Environmental factors that can harm the body without necessarily touching it.
• Ergonomic Hazards: Strain on the body due to work type, body positions, and working conditions.
• Work Organization Hazards: Workplace issues such as workload and lack of control or respect.

Computer Applications in Construction Management

• Computer Applications Program: Designed to provide skills in using application software on a computer.
• Helpful in the design phase of projects.
• Construction Phase: The computer is a powerful tool for organizing:
  • Logistics and Materials
  • Contract Administration
  • Project Scheduling and Cost Control

Development of Computer Software for Project Management

• Began with the idea that mathematical, network-based analysis could reduce time and costs.
• In the late 1950s, techniques like PERT and CPM provided a basis for computer-aided project management.
• Software supports project managers in:
  • Coordination
  • Documentation
  • Controlling

Difference Between MSProject and Primavera P6

Microsoft Project

1. Simple and user-friendly
2. Allows user to make macros and switches with VBA language
3. Limited baselines
4. Project tracking with multiple projects at the same time is not possible
5. Multiple activity relationships are not possible
6. Relatively low cost of installation and maintenance

Primavera P6

1. Detailed and complex
2. Macros, complex formulas cannot be made
3. Unlimited baselines
4. Project tracking with multiple projects at the same time is possible
5. Possible to have finish-to-finish (FF) and start-to-start (SS) relationships between activities
6. High installation and maintenance cost
7. Needs configuration to make it appealing

Scheduling Software

• Used to plan, monitor, and control project progress.
• Buffers and critical paths are calculated based on process durations, deadlines, and relationships.
• Results displayed in Gantt charts, network plans, or lists.
• Allows automatic generation of performance comparisons based on current data.

Project Communication Systems

• Support project coordination by providing a joint platform for collaboration and information exchange.
• Internet-based platforms with data access governed by user authorizations and privileges.
• Functions vary from simple data storage to comprehensive media and workflow support.

Digital Construction Diaries

• Range from simple templates to internet-based systems.
• Increased cogency through the integration of media such as photo documentation.

Cost Control Software

• Based on capacity planning methods.
• Resources assessed according to cost information (e.g., charge-out rates).
• Budget figures compared with actual figures via links to accounting software.
• Automatic generation of reports presenting visualized data.

Applications Used in Construction Management

• QS+ (QS Plus): Cost estimating software for Quantity Surveyors and Construction Estimators.
• FAST TRACK: Organize tasks into project plans, assign resources, and view details in Gantt charts and histograms.
• COCONSTRUCT: Construction project management software for custom home builders and remodelers.
• PLANGRID: Construction software for managing blueprints and drawings.
• PROJECTMATES: Seamless platform for managing the complete lifecycle of building projects.
• VIEWPOINT: Document control solution for managing and sharing project documents.
• PROCORE: Leading construction management software integrating with estimating software for collaboration.
• BUILDERTREND: Provides pre-sale tools (CRM, bid requests, project proposals) and project management tools.
• BUILDTOOLS: Construction project management platform for custom homebuilders and remodelers with a range of features.
• PROLIANCE MERIDIAN SYSTEM: Capital program management software enabling custom parameters and alerts.
• REDTEAM: Project management, construction financials, and document control solution for midsize commercial general contractors.

Construction Fieldwork

Common Construction Fieldworks

• Surveying: Measuring horizontal and vertical distances and angles, and elevations.
• Clearing and Layout: Preparing land for construction by removing objects and ensuring correct site location.
• Earthworks: Excavating, transporting, and compacting earth.
• Formworks: Molds used to form concrete into structural members.
• Scaffolding: Temporary structures for workers to stand on at heights above 4 feet.
• Steel Reinforcement Works: Placing steel rods for reinforcement to give concrete structures stability.
• Concrete Works: Mixing water, aggregate, and Portland cement to prepare concrete.
• Masonry Works: Building structures from individual units.

Types of Construction Projects

• Residential Construction Projects: Buildings where people live (apartments, townhomes, dormitories, condominiums).
• Commercial Construction Projects: Large-scope projects such as restaurants, office buildings, and retail stores.
• Industrial Construction Projects: Building large-scale production facilities like warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and oil refineries.
• Infrastructure Construction Projects: Structures and systems needed for the operation of a country or city (highways, bridges, airports).

People Involved in Construction

• Architect: Designs overall structure, layout, and appearance, translating user needs into builders’ requirements.
• Quality Control Engineers: Maintain, monitor, and ensure the highest quality in services or products.
• Field Engineers: Handle, maintain, monitor, install, and provide support for networks and hardware.
• Project Managers: Oversee and coordinate all aspects of fieldwork to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Project Engineers: Involved in preparing, scheduling, coordinating, and monitoring engineering projects.
• Office Engineers: Process submittals, keep accurate records, and monitor the budget.
• Surveyors: Prepare and maintain sketches, maps, reports, and legal descriptions of survey.
• Foremen: Organize tools, supervise construction activities, and ensure accurate construction.
• Masons: Cut, shape, and dress materials, following technical drawings.
• Carpenters: Install structures and fixtures, measure and shape materials, and construct building frameworks.
• Steelmen: Build and install iron or steel girders and columns, and reinforce concrete.
• Warehouse Keeper: Prepare warehouse orders and maintain inventory.
• Operators: Assist in the installation, maintenance, and repair of machinery and operate tools.
• Laborers: Transport materials, test equipment, and clear the work site of hazardous items.

Equipment

• Dump Trucks: Transport loose materials (sand, dirt, gravel).
• Front Loader: Type of tractor using a bucket to lift and move material.
• Forklift: Industrial truck used to lift and transport material on pallets.
• Mobile Cranes: Steel truss or telescopic boom mounted on a mobile platform.
• Telescopic Crane: Crane with a boom consisting of tubes extended or retracted hydraulically.
• Compact Excavator: Tracked or wheeled vehicle with a backfill blade and boom swing.
• Backhoe: Used for various work like transporting materials and excavation.

Tools

• Hammer: General carpentry, framing, and nail pulling.
• Chisel: Woodwork and removing concrete bumps.
• Pick Axe: Excavate soil.
• Measuring Tape: Measure walls’ thickness, length, and widths.
• Float: Smooth concrete surfaces.
• Polisher: Smoothen/polish surfaces of tiles and woodwork.
• Earth Rammer: Leveling or compacting surfaces.
• Mason's Square: Gain a perfect right angle at the corner of a wall.
• Sledgehammer: Used when the ground is hard and contains rock layers.
• Trowel: Plastering and smoothing concrete surfaces.
• Wheel Barrow: Transport materials.
• Sand Screen Machine: Screen sand before mixing with concrete.
• Crowbar: Removing nails or forcing objects apart.
• Binding Hook: Binding steel on joints.
• Concrete Mixer: Mix ingredients for concrete.
• File: Remove or smooth rough edges from cut metal.
• Concrete Broom: Used to create a slip-resistant texture on the surface of the concrete.
• Mortar Tubs and Stands: Used for mixing, dumping, and transporting construction material.

Types of Fieldworks

Light Construction

• Smaller-scale business construction (offices, retail, medical facilities).
  • Carpentry: Construction using wooden materials.
  • Plaster Works: Provides a finished, smooth surface over masonry.
  • Roofing Works: Protects from weather.
  • Electrical Works: Installation and maintenance of electrical systems.
  • Piping Works: Installation of coolers, air conditioners, and water supplies.
  • Tile Works: Resists dirt and adds to the building's look.
  • Glass Works: Transmits natural light and provides insulation.
  • Painting Works: Protects the building from water penetration and UV rays.
  • Scaffolding Works: Temporary support for workers at height.
  • Form Works: Temporary structure to contain poured concrete.

Heavy Construction

• Big and complex projects that start from the ground up.
  • Rock Excavation/Blasting: Removal of solid rock requiring drilling and blasting.
  • Paving: Excavation and grading, and covering with asphalt mix.
  • Pile Driving: Installing piles into the ground without excavation.
  • Cofferdam: Temporary structure to support ground and keep water away from an excavation.
  • Caisson: A watertight structure used for retaining water in order to work on the foundation.
  • Mortar Tubs and Stands: Used for mixing, dumping, and transporting construction material.
  • Construction Dewatering: Done to prevent hazards like mudslides, unstable foundations and equipment failure during excavation.

Construction Dispute

• Disputes often arise from delays, unsatisfactory work, or failure to make payments.
• The expense of pursuing a dispute can be disproportionate to the money at stake.
• Dispute: Controversy, debate, or difference of opinion.

Types of Construction Dispute

• Contractual Disputes: Disagreements over contract terms and specifications.
• Design Disputes: Discrepancies between design documents and drawings.
• Payment Disputes: Issues related to progress payments and payment delays.
• Quality Disputes: Disagreements over the quality of workmanship.
• Schedule Disputes: Delays in project completion and scheduling conflicts.

Factors Affecting Construction Disputes

• Terms of the Contract
• Project Conditions
• Parties Involved
• Organizational Behavior
• Site Conditions
• Degree of Bias
• Third Party

Common Causes of Disputes

• Unrealistic expectations by owners without sufficient financing.
• Ambiguous contract provisions.
• Poor communication.
• Reluctance to address changes promptly.
• Contract administration avoiding tough decisions.
• Failure to understand contractual obligations.

Causes of Disputes (By Category)

• Owner Related:
  • Change of scope without reimbursement
  • Unrealistic expectations
  • Delay in payment
• Contractor Related:
  • Financial failure
  • Delays in work progress
  • Technical inadequacy
• Design Related:
  • Design errors
  • Incomplete specifications
  • Quality of design
• Contract Related:
  • Ambiguities in contract documents
  • Different interpretations of contract provisions
  • Risk allocation
• Human Behavior Related:
  • Adversarial culture
  • Lack of communication
  • Lack of team spirit
• Project Related:
  • Site conditions
  • Legal and economic factors

Construction Dispute Causative Agents

• Client
• Consultants
• Contractor

Clients (Causes of Disputes)

• Deficient management supervision
• Poor communication
• Discrepancies in Contract Documents
• Late Payment to Contractors
• Failure to Appoint a Project Manager
• Failure to Respond in a Timely Manner
• Poor Briefing during Design Stage
• Changes and Variation Requirements
• Reluctant to check for constructability, clarity and completeness
• Changes to Standard Conditions of Contract
• Interference in the Contractual Duties of the Contract Administrator
• Inadequate Tracing Mechanisms for Request for Information
• Unrealistic Expectationsof the Parties with Insufficient Financing

Contractors (Causes of Disputes)

• Delay/Suspension of Work
• Reluctance to Seek Clarification
• Poor Standard of Work
• Poor Planning and Programming
• Delayed Payment to Sub-Contractors
• Failure to Proceed Works in a Competent Manner
• Inadequate Site Management
• Failure to Plan and Execute the Changes of Works
• Lack of Understanding and Agreement in Contract Procurement
• Failure to Understand and Correctly Bid or Price the Works
• Failure to Coordinate its Subcontractors’ Work and Ensure Performance
• Inadequate CPM Scheduling and Update Requirements

Consultants (Causes of Disputes)

• Design Inadequacies
• Variations due to Design Errors
• Incompleteness of Drawing and Specifications
• Late Issue of Design Information/Drawings
• Unclear Delegation of Responsibilities
• Lack of Appropriate Competence and Experience
• Design and Specification Oversights, and Errors or Omissions from Specialists
• Errors/Substantial Changes in Bills of Quantities
• Late Information Delivery and Cumbersome Approach to Request for Information
• Over Design and Understanding, the Costs Involved
• Failure to Understand its Responsibilities under the Design Team Contract

Resolving Construction Dispute

1. Litigation

• Settling a dispute in a court of law.
  • Advantages:
    • Managed by a judge.
    • Complex issues can be addressed.
    • Binding and enforceable decision.
  • Disadvantages:
    • Slow and expensive.
    • Public proceedings (not confidential).

2. Negotiation

• Informal, unstructured, and relatively inexpensive process without third parties.
  • Advantages:
    • Lower costs.
    • Maintains a working relationship.
    • Parties have control over the process.
    • Faster resolution.
    • Private and protects sensitive information.
  • Disadvantages:
    • Agreements may lack enforceability.
    • Some disputes may be too complex.

3. Adjudication

• An impartial third party (adjudicator) is appointed to settle disagreements.
  • Under the Construction and Regeneration Act of 1996, parties can refer disputes to adjudication.
  • Promotes a "pay now, argue later" approach.
  • Adjudicator’s decision is binding and enforceable through the Technology and Construction Court.
  • Advantages:
    • Fast and Efficient.
    • Reduces Legal Burden.
    • Impartial Judgment.
  • Disadvantages:
    • Limited Powers.
    • Enforcement Required.
    • Pre-Adjudication Requirements.

4. Expert Determination

• Effective for technical or valuation-related disagreements.
  • Advantages:
    • Practical for Technical Issues.
    • Efficient and Cost-Effective.
    • Minimal Legal Formality.
  • Disadvantages:
    • Limited Grounds for Challenge.
    • Enforcement Challenges.
    • Low Reliance on Legal Process.

5. Mediation

• A neutral third party helps resolve disputes.
• Parties try to establish a fair settlement outside of court.
• Not legally binding but often effective.
• Focuses on communication facilitation.
  • Advantages:
    • Helps maintain a healthy business relationship.
    • The quickest dispute resolution method.
    • Completely confidential.
    • Considerably cheaper than litigation or other dispute resolution options.
    • Mediator will encourage the parties to find a solution to the dispute.
  • Disadvantages:
    • If an agreement cannot be reached, further action will be required, and the cost of mediation will be wasted.
    • Risk of sharing sensitive information that might weaken the participant’s position.

6. Arbitration

• Investigation and determination of differences by one or more unofficial persons (arbitrators).
• An alternative to litigation.
  • Advantages:
    • Both parties can decide on the arbitrator.
    • Arbitrators hold stronger powers than adjudicators.
    • Confidential process.
    • Arbitration is cheaper than litigation.
    • Offers more flexibility to court proceedings.
  • Disadvantages:
    • Parties must bear the costs of the arbitrator and the venue.
    • Limited appeal rights for the losing party.
    • The arbitration agreement has the potential of being one sided.