Page 120 - Civil Engineering Project Management, Fourth Edition

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The resident engineer’s duties
Under the ICE conditions the engineer or RE must notify the contractor of
‘the names, duties and scope of authority’ of persons appointed to assist the
RE in his duties (Clause 2(5)). This must include the names of inspectors as
well as assistant engineers because the clause goes on to say that such assist-
ants are not to have any authority to issue instructions save as ‘may be neces-
sary to enable them to carry out their duties and to secure the acceptance of
materials and workmanship as being in accordance with the Contract.’ This
clearly implies they have power to accept or reject materials or workmanship.
However, this power must be exercised with tact and understanding.
It is not sufficient to take the view that the RE and his staff are present
solely to ensure the works conform to specification. To serve the engineer and
employer properly they must assist the contractor make a good job of the con-
struction. When unexpected conditions occur, assistance must be given to find
a solution that is not only necessary for the quality of the permanent works
but is also that which the contractor feels he can do satisfactorily. The queries
the contractor raises must all be answered constructively and, when reason-
able help is asked for, it should be given.
The engineering assistants should be kept informed of problems on the job, so
that their actions can be intelligently directed. This helps to avoid mistaken or
contradictory instructions being given to the contractor. Young engineers on site
for the first time need to be forewarned of some of the troubles they can fall into.
Ayoung engineer may know it is injudicious of him to give the general foreman
‘an instruction’. But he may not be aware that a question he innocently puts
to a section foreman may (less innocently) be translated into ‘a complaint’ which,
travelling rapidly upwards, brings an irate agent into the RE’s office, asking
‘What is this trouble your engineer is complaining about?’ It all sounds rather
difficult, but site life is rather a closed society which seldom resists the tempta-
tion to ‘put a newcomer in his place’ to start with. However, once relationships
are established and statuses are recognized, such troubles blow over.
Status on site is tied to evident competence and the ability to give clear
instructions courteously; it has nothing to do with rank or gender. Construction
sites run by a good agent and a sensible RE can provide an outstandingly valu-
able and enjoyable experience to an engineer in his or her career.
The inspectors have to be mostly outside, watching the workmanship.
Inspectors are usually older men, but this is no disadvantage because their
practical experience is of value to the RE, and also an advantage when having
to deal with the contractor’s workers. Persuasion, tact, tolerance, care in obser-
vation, and the ability to give firm direction are required. Not everyone pos-
sesses these qualities, and it is not really the job for a young man who can find
it irksome to watch the work of others he sometimes feels he could do better
himself. On overseas sites an inspector plays a much more positive role, often
having to teach and demonstrate to labourers how work should be done. Agood
inspector can be an asset to a contractor. One agent said ‘A good inspector
relieves me of some of my worries. When he passes something I know it
should be all right.’ One of the problems for the RE is how to get hold of a
‘good’ inspector. Usually it is best done by recommendation from an RE who