Planning of site before the commencement of construction work is a very important duty that is often neglected. Proper planning of site layout would help to reduce time losses, damage of materials and accidents. It is the duty of the site supervisor to do that. The post shows the resources and activities to ensure proper planning.
THE SITE SUPERVISOR SHOULD BE IN POSSESSION OF,
1. A block plan/site plan showing contours and the location of the job in relation to the surroundings.
2. A small-scale set of drawings and details.
3. A bill of quantities and specifications.
4. Contract information, including the cost and the completion date.
VISIT THE SITE AT THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY TO,
1. Note such details as rainfall, humidity, prevailing wind, orientation and contours. This would influence the site layout.
2. Observe adjacent buildings that may cause obstruction, under-pinning problem, or affect access to the site. Check the ground surface. A note should be made of any crops growing in the site (should they remain unit harvest, tree stumps, palm shoots, rubbish, bush etc.) Trees that are to be left standing should be marked.
3. Check the nature of the soil – whether it is sandy, marshy, rocky, or made up ground. Existing trial boreholes should be marked on the site plan. Check the presence of water, white ant or termite.
4. Site ground – note whether fencing or boarding is needed, whether footpaths will cause obstruction; whether vibration from road or rail traffic will affect foundation.
5. Access road – this is an important factor that could affect site layout if wrongly handled. The possibility of providing a permanent access road should be considered.
6. The source of water supply should be considered whether from a well, stream, borehole, stand pipe. Also note whether the source of water is pure.
AMENITIES TO NOTE,
1. Note whether the site is isolated or near facilities such as shops, and source of material supply locally available.
2. Labour – make inquiries about the source and type of labour available whether skilled or unskilled.
3. Plant – note whether plants like earth moving equipment are available from plant hire firms, and also whether they are in good working condition. Consider what hand plant and tools are needed to start the job.
4. Materials – check from local sources what supplies are available and whether special treatment (e.g) washing and screening of aggregate) is needed. Visit local stockyards, timber merchant, builder’s merchants.
5. Power Supply – note whether power is available and at what voltage. Also inquire whether supply is adequate or inadequate. Consider the possibility of installing a power generating plant.
6. Food and Eating facilities – canteen or temporary shelter should be provided for food vendors or operatives. Generally, a rest shelter should be built for the operatives themselves.
7. Existing Services – water, electricity, phone or other cables, over-head wires, sewage pipes and ducts may already exist near the site. Permission to connect may have to be obtained from the appropriate authorities e.g. Power Holding Corporations of Nigeria (PHCN), Water board, NITEL.
After the site visit, the supervisor should prepare a layout plan based on this information. The layout plan should show the access, the mixing bay, stock piles of sand and coarse aggregates, the water source, offices, store, shed, toilets, canteen or eating places, bar bending section, reinforcement rack, timber stack etc.
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