Construction Industry Skills

A building site works safely only when everyone knows who decides what. Safety duties apply to every person, from the client to the newest helper. In this module you learn the roles and the habits that prevent accidents.

• Name the main roles: client, designer, main contractor, supervisor and each trade, and write what each one decides.
• Hold a short safety talk of about 10 minutes at the start of each day to cover the task, hazards and emergency points.
• Check with your local authority which permits, training and protection are required for your task, for example for work at height or in a trench.
• Report hazards at once, and know that anyone on site, and always the supervisor, can stop unsafe work.
• Wear the required protection, usually a helmet, boots, gloves and eye protection, and keep the site tidy.

Activity. Write a one-page roles and safety sheet with each role, daily safety talk topics, protection needed and emergency points.

Standard to meet. Name all roles with decisions, give hazards controls, and ask a supervisor to check the sheet.

Plans show where things go and how big they are. You must read scale, symbols and dimensions before you measure or cut anything. In this module you practise reading a simple plan and converting scale to real size.

• Find the scale in the title block, for example 1:50, meaning 1 unit on paper equals 50 units on site.
• To find real length, multiply the measured length on paper by the scale number, then convert units.
• Learn the common symbols for walls, doors, windows and levels, and check the legend on the drawing.
• Compare the plan with the section and detail drawings so that heights and depths match.
• Check each dimension twice and write down any that do not add up, then ask the designer.

Activity. Read a simple plan and list ten dimensions with their real size, scale used and any mismatch you found.

Standard to meet. Calculate all ten real sizes correctly, show units and record any mismatch.

Accurate setting out saves rework and money. You mark lines on the ground with a tape and check them for square and level. Small errors at the start grow into big errors later.

• Use a steel tape pulled straight and read it from the same end each time, and write the number straight away.
• Check a rectangle is square by measuring both diagonals, which are equal if the corners are right angles.
• Use the 3-4-5 rule for a quick right angle: sides of 3 m and 4 m give a diagonal of 5 m.
• Check levels with a spirit level or water level and mark the level on pegs.
• Record every reading, and re-measure if two readings differ by more than 5 mm.

Activity. Set out a small rectangle, check the diagonals and level, and record readings in a table.

Standard to meet. Measure sizes within 5 mm, check that diagonals agree and record every reading.

Counting before buying prevents shortages and waste. You work out volumes and areas, add waste and price each item. A clear bill helps the client understand the cost.

• Volume equals length times width times depth, all in metres, and the result is in cubic metres.
• Area equals length times width in square metres, used for items such as boards or paint.
• Add 5 to 10 percent for waste depending on the material, and round up to the unit you buy.
• Multiply quantity by price per unit and add the lines to get a total, with the currency on every line.
• Ask a supplier for a written price and note how long it is valid.

Activity. Build a bill of quantities for your task with units, waste, price and total cost.

Standard to meet. Calculate volumes and areas correctly, show waste, put currency on every line and add up the total.

A schedule puts the tasks in order and shows how long each one takes. Some tasks must wait for others, such as concrete that needs time to cure. A buffer protects the plan from weather and late deliveries.

• List every task with its length in days, such as dig, formwork, reinforcement, pour and cure.
• Mark which tasks depend on others, and which can run at the same time.
• Include waiting periods, for example concrete usually needs several days before it can carry load, and follow the supplier's instructions.
• Add a buffer of about 15 to 20 percent for weather and delivery delays.
• Draw a simple bar chart with a day number on each bar and review it with your supervisor.

Activity. Build a bar chart schedule with task durations, dependencies and a buffer.

Standard to meet. Order the work logically, show waiting periods and include a buffer in the total.

Doing the task safely and recording each stage proves the quality of your work. Photos and a daily log protect you and the client. Problems fixed at once cost less than problems found later.

• Hold the daily safety talk, check protection and tools, and walk the area for hazards before work starts.
• Follow the plan and the schedule, and write in the log what was done, by whom and how long it took.
• Take photos of each stage, especially work that will be covered such as reinforcement and pipes.
• Measure and check each stage against the plan before you move to the next.
• Fix errors straight away and record what was wrong and what you did.

Activity. Complete the task under supervision with a daily log, stage photos and measured checks.

Standard to meet. Keep the log free of missing days, photograph each hidden stage, and write checks with measured numbers.

Quality checks find faults early, when they are cheap to fix. You use a checklist for each stage and measure against tolerance. A snag list collects faults to fix before handover.

• Write a short checklist for each stage, with the item, the target and the tolerance.
• Measure with the right tool, for example a straightedge and ruler for surface level over 3 m, and record the number.
• Compare each reading to the tolerance and mark pass or fail.
• List each fault on a snag list with its place, size, cause and who will fix it.
• Re-check each fix and close the item only when it passes.

Activity. Run a quality check on your task with a checklist, measurements and a snag list with closed items.

Standard to meet. Show target, reading and pass or fail for each item, and fix and re-test all snags.

A clean handover with full records builds trust. You give the client the documents, photos and care notes. A short review captures lessons for the next task.

• Clear and clean the site, remove waste properly and make sure no hazards are left.
• Prepare a handover pack with drawings, photos, material records, test results and care instructions.
• Walk through the work with the client or supervisor and show the snag list as closed.
• Compare planned and actual time and cost, and write the difference in days and currency.
• Write three lessons and one change you will make next time.

Activity. Prepare a handover pack and present a review that compares plan and actual with three lessons.

Standard to meet. Assemble a pack containing drawings, photos, test results and care notes, and show differences in days and currency in the review.