The Effects of Improper Supervision on Building Construction Sites
Chapter One
Research Objectives
The main objective of the study is to investigate the effects of improper supervision on building construction sites, and the specific objectives are:
- To investigate the Impact of Improper Supervision on Construction Site Safety Incidents
- To examine the Effects of Improper Supervision on Project Cost Overruns
- To assess the Perception of Construction Workers Regarding Supervisory Effectiveness.
Chapter Two
Review of the Related Literature
Construction projects in developing countries like Ghana are labour intensive. This leads to the employment of millions of labourers directly and indirectly within the construction industry. However, most of them work as unqualified, unskilled and untrained labourers. As a result, extra coordination and supervision is surely needed to ensure good project delivery. Alwi et al (2001) affirmed that success in completing site activities, right from the beginning to the end, relies heavily on the quality of supervision.
Naturally, the quality of supervision is dependent upon the supervisor‟s skill. A supervisor is usually given authority and responsibility for planning and controlling the work of a group by close contact (Betts, 1989). Eckles et al. (1975), state that supervisors are managers whose major activities focus on leading, coordinating and directing the work of others in order to achieve group goals. In addition, they argue that a successful supervisor has to deal with several skills such as management skills, human relation skills and skills in leadership, motivation, communication and organisation behaviour. Construction site supervision is a crucial element. The inability of many supervisors to plan the work, communicate with workers, and direct activities adequately is fundamentally linked to increasing amount and cost of rework and other quality issues. These abilities can be improved by formal training (The Business Roundtable, 1982). Most of project managers argue that formal training can improve the supervisor‟s skills. However, the majority of supervisors learn their job the hard way; that is, making mistakes and then correcting them. Although this system of trial and error is considered to be an essential part of training, practical experience must be supplemented by formal training to form a sound working basis (Betts, 1989).
Performance improvement opportunities could be easily identified if the waste concept is well understood by contractors. However, due to the poor quality of documentation, most contractors do not have reasonably accurate estimates of rework costs. Therefore, research to identify the causes of rework, rework costs, formal training costs, and quality of supervision is vital (Alwi et al., 2001).
Building construction projects be it small, large, complex or mega is vital to man‟s survival, economic activities, enhancement and development of his activities within the natural and built environment. Taiwo and Afolami, 2010; asserted that buildings are structures that serve as shelters for man, his properties and activities. As such, they must be properly planned, designed and constructed to obtain desired satisfaction from the environment. These clearly indicate that all the tasks involved in building construction project phases must be carried out perfectly to achieve success.
Many construction supervisors do not undergo specialized training in construction management, leading to a knowledge gap in handling the intricacies of construction projects. This deficit can result in critical safety measures being overlooked or improperly executed, posing significant risks to the workforce.
Additionally, turnover rates among construction site supervisors have been a recurring challenge. High turnover often leads to the appointment of inexperienced individuals to supervisory positions, further exacerbating the issue of improper supervision. Inexperienced supervisors may lack the practical knowledge and problem-solving skills necessary to make sound decisions and ensure smooth construction operations.
Construction site supervision is a crucial element. The inability of many supervisors to plan the work, communicate with workers, and direct activities adequately is fundamentally linked to increasing amount and cost of rework and other quality issues. These abilities can be improved by formal training (The Business Roundtable, 1982). Most of project managers argue that formal training can improve the supervisor‟s skills. However, the majority of supervisors learn their job the hard way; that is, making mistakes and then correcting them. Although this system of trial and error is considered to be an essential part of training, practical experience must be supplemented by formal training to form a sound working basis (Betts, 1989). Performance improvement opportunities could be easily identified if the waste concept is well understood by contractors. However, due to the poor quality of documentation, most contractors do not have reasonably accurate estimates of rework costs. Therefore, research to identify the causes of rework, rework costs, formal training costs, and quality of supervision is vital (Alwi et al., 2001).
Building construction projects be it small, large, complex or mega is vital to man‟s survival, economic activities, enhancement and development of his activities within the natural and built environment. Taiwo and Afolami, 2010; asserted that buildings are structures that serve as shelters for man, his properties and activities. As such, they must be properly planned, designed and constructed to obtain desired satisfaction from the environment. These clearly indicate that all the tasks involved in building construction project phases must be carried out perfectly to achieve success.
Furthermore, time constraints and heavy workloads are common in the construction industry, leaving supervisors with limited time for comprehensive supervision. This constraint can lead to rushed inspections and safety checks, leaving room for oversight and increasing the likelihood of accidents. Effective communication and coordination among various stakeholders are vital for successful supervision. However, poor communication and coordination can lead to misunderstandings and delays, affecting the overall efficiency and safety of the construction site.
The consequences of improper supervision can be severe and far-reaching. It puts the lives of workers at risk, resulting in injuries and even fatalities. Construction accidents can have devastating effects on families and communities, and they also lead to financial losses for construction companies, as legal penalties and compensation claims can be significant.
The issue of improper supervision on building construction sites warrants a comprehensive investigation due to its potential to undermine the safety of workers, increase construction costs, cause project delays, and compromise the quality of the final product. Identifying the root causes and understanding the ramifications of improper supervision is essential for implementing effective measures to address this problem, enhance construction site safety, and improve project outcomes. This research endeavors to explore the multifaceted aspects of improper supervision in the construction industry, relying on a thorough review of existing literature, real-world case studies, and statistical data to shed light on this critical matter.
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