One side of the story

Site engineers do not stick to a place unless it is a government job.  Is it due to the fact that the job is hundred percent outdoor work, relegating them to be exposed to heat, dust and downpour for ever?  Or is it because the contracting firms get crazy and replace engineers for every new project?
 
It is a thankless job, their efforts are not appreciated, neither they are encouraged – these must be the facts compelling them to desert.  I have seen contractors allowing uneducated PRWs or piece rate workers (those with the gang of masons, shuttering carpenters, bar-benders etc) to have an upper hand over engineers.  I have seen engineers with decades of experience and tremendous communication skills struggling to stick to a place.

Opinion

 
Dear Ranganath,
 
There is truth in what you have highlighted. But it is not correct to say that the errors in drawings or the comments from Architects and RCC Designers are the reasons for faulty works at site.
 
These need to be looked pragmaticaly and addresed to achive the common goal that is THE PROJECT.
 
- Nagendra Kumar, Managing Director,
Sterling Consultants, Bangalore.


Ranganathjee,

Generally the contractors have a profit margin up to 25 percent, while accepting the contracts. If there is a rework it costs extra in terms of material, man power, time, reputation of the company etc.  It no doubt reduces the profit margin resulting is no benefit to client or contractor. Therefore do work first time, being cautious that you are within the tolerances prescribed.   
 
Reworks can be prevented by implementing the under mentioned key points.
 
01.  Keep check lists for each activity and check before handing over to further work.
02.  If somebody finds out mistakes before handing over, accept it and rectify.
03.  Don’t be egoistic and shy away from work when others point out mistakes.  Mistakes do   happen when human beings are at work.
04.  Take the help of  colleagues if you are not very much conversant with the checklist or process.
05.  Keep in mind that the project activities are a part and parcel of team work.
06.  Don’t allow mistakes to happen and then ask for rectification.
07.  Let the presence of mind be always there, to see that there is  reduction in such costly reworks.
 
- M Shanthamurthy, Safety Manager,
Facilities and Building Solutions, Bangalore.

 
Dear Mr.Ranganath,

It points out correctly on how one passes the bugs towards the engineer at site. I have read news today in The Times of India regarding collapse of a roof slab in Mico Layout area. It just coincided with article you have published. I request you to go thro the news published in the paper.
 
Who actually should be termed as responsible for this accident? Don’t you think there is an attempt to pass the bugs on each other?
 
- K.Ramachandran, General Manager,
Yashasswi Constructions, Bangalore.

Common dialogue flying amidst contractors is such - ‘Ise isliye pagaar de rahaa hoon ki jee bhar ke gaali khaaye aur kaam karte rahe’ (I pay salary to the site engineer, that provides me a right to ask him to stand up like a rock and digest every blame towards lacunae in material supply, progress of work etc).  Even the attitude of the contractors is well known.  Their concentration is most in capturing the project and least in completing it (as building construction is a mess, where it is easy to shift blame of our delays on others).
 
'Turnover expert' could be the fittest other title a contractor can opt for.  He mobilises a project site with men, machineries and materials (all of which sail with him, like what you see in circus companies to commence shows in any city) to be successful to obtain advance money towards various items of the tender.  Soon after the advance money is grabbed, he turns towards capturing another tender, leaving behind the 'gaali khaanewala' engineer to face the music.  Presence of such engineers would very much be there in project after project of the contractor,  whose turnover can boost up with the money that belongs to others.
 
Engineers are not required for the actual work at site.  They are required only to communicate in the professional language according to the day's trend, that does no good to the construction community in the long run.

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