The role of construction supervision in site safety

Words by BSBG Media Team, Tuesday 09 February 2021

Construction supervision is widely regarded as the crucial component in delivering key elements vital to the success of the build, such as planning, work allocation, performance/quality monitoring, compliance and leadership. One of the key functions, however, is the role construction supervision plays in accident prevention and site safety management.

Supervision is a “performance influencing factor” according to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) in preventing accidents or incidents on site. The associated requirements and responsibilities of a construction supervisor are defined in the Dubai Municipality’s Code of Construction Safety Practice.

Training and competence

The selection of a construction supervision team needs to involve the process of identifying competence. Historical project delivery success and the safety record are great indicators of this facet. In terms of training, a construction supervision team will be highly proficient in the technical nature of supervision, and will also visibly demonstrate other cores skills that include project leadership, communication and teamwork. Training modules for supervisory activities, such as planning, communication, delegation and leadership are a key component of building the BSBG supervision offering, and one key element of this is the awareness of safety and potential hazards, and the ability to convey this information to all those involved in the project.

All of BSBG’s construction supervision staff are H&S qualified, having attended the HSE course accredited by Dubai Municipality. Senior H&S staff and Managers can then take additional internationally recognised H&S qualifications run by NEBOSH or similar training providers.

In 2019, BSBG received two awards for supervision on Dubai projects ICD Brookfield Place (25 million man hours without LTI) and BLVD Crescent (12 million man hours without LTI). BSBG Director of Construction gave a detailed insight into how the practice approaches safety on site, which results in highly complex project delivery, free from incident: “Health and safety is a collective responsibility and also an individual one, and we ensure that safety is the first thought of all of our employees who work so hard for us each day on site across all of our projects. We are very proud of our safety record on site, and we constantly strive to ensure health and safety processes, standards and procedures improve in both design and construction of our buildings. This commitment means our projects are not only built to the highest health and safety standards, but are safer for our owners to operate after completion.”

Code of Constructions Safety Practice

1. Supervision of the application of the occupational health and safety requirements in construction sites in accordance with the technical standards and rules specified.

2. Preparation of plans and timetable programmes for periodical and regular checking of the

occupational health and safety requirements including cranes, equipment, machinery, scaffolding, firefighting systems, workshops, electrical installations, temporary structures, workplace organisation requirements, etc.

3. Supervision of proper and correct application of the Safety Plan items relevant to the worksite.

4. Training of employees on methods of safe work practices and providing necessary technical guidance for accident protection.

5. Training, qualifying and enabling employees before permitting them to perform work activities assigned to them in accordance with the safety regulations and requirements relevant to the worksite.

6. Dealing with construction accidents in accordance with the emergency plan which includes reporting to the authorities concerned, providing first aid to injured persons, keeping the accident stage without change, implementing necessary procedures to reduce the aggravation of accidents’ results, and protecting lives and properties.

7. Keeping records of accidents and work injuries.

Competent construction supervision directly affects site safety

If construction supervision as a service is executed properly, the highest standard of site safety will naturally become a function as a result of a combination of factors.

Leadership

For BSBG, the principles of construction supervision begin at the senior level with a commitment to the provision of world-class supervision and an understanding of how it impacts projects.

Research has found that there is a positive correlation between the attitude and behaviour displayed by leaders and the development of a safety culture and safety climate on site. In the role of construction supervision, the term “lead by example” is prevalent. In actions and attitudes, at all times the supervisor must remember that everything they do or say can have an impact on the approach of those around them.

Communication

Communication between employees and management, but also communication between organisations on site, must be managed effectively with open dialogue, clarity and transparency. If something is not right, or there is the potential for a future issue because of a certain approach, it is important that all relevant parties feel comfortable enough to be able to speak up, and to listen. Communication is key to supervision, and is crucial to safety on site.

In terms of communication related specifically to health and safety, it is all about information. It must be clear, meaningful and accurate, providing awareness and understanding amongst all site staff of safety and reducing risk.

BSBG has a set of standard practices for all projects in this regard:

1. Review and approval of the Contractor’s H&S Plan at the start.
2. Weekly health and safety walks with the Contractor followed by a H&S meeting to discuss issues and agree actions.
3. Issue of H&S Site Observation Notices for minor improvements.
4. Issue of H&S Non-Conformance Reports for standard issues.
5. Issue of a Stop Notice for serious or life threatening issues.
6. Collaboration with the Contractor’s promoting ‘don’t walk by’ or ‘speak up’ schemes with the labourers and site staff.
7. Monthly H&S awards with prizes for the best performers.

The BSBG record of world class safety will certainly prove valuable as the group prepares to embark upon a variety of key and complex projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jamie Armitage anticipates. “We will provide comprehensive construction supervision services with our capacity to establish, implement and manage systems and processes, and set benchmark standards for all elements of works ongoing on our projects in the Kingdom,” he explained.

“Effective supervision is methodical and considered, efficiently planned, managed and monitored – all key features of the BSBG approach to construction supervision, and the reason for the success and safety record BSBG has built on countless projects across the world.”

BSBG Media Team

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