Stay on the Site during Important Tasks

Professional Diary Entry: 24 October 2024

Today started with a small problem—no electricity at the office, so I couldn’t use my laptop. I made use of the time by drawing rough sketches for an RCC design plan for one of my construction sites. I completed the design manually, which required extra focus but was a good reminder of the basics.

Later, I visited another site where we were facing water issues. Water was seeping into the foundation pit from a nearby building on one side, and there was drainage flow from the other side. Since it was already prepared for casting, we decided to remove the water and go ahead with the footing work as there was no rain forecast.

I checked the spacing of steel bars and stirrups in the columns and inspected the footing mesh to make sure everything was in line with the plan before placing it on the PCC. After dewatering, I asked the contractor to remove as much mud as possible so the steel mesh could be placed cleanly. This helps prevent mud contact, which can protect the steel from rusting.

As it got dark, the contractor set up lights so we could keep working. Although he suggested I leave, I stayed to supervise the footing casting, which went from 3 pm to 10 pm. This not only helped keep the work quality high, but it also showed the client my dedication to the project. I noticed the contractor had poor workforce management, causing delays in casting. After finishing, I recommended the client check for cracks tomorrow to catch any early signs of issues.

Professional Tips from Today’s Experience

• Stay Flexible: When issues like power outages come up, make the most of the time by doing something productive, like drawing site sketches by hand.
• Manage Site Water Early: If water is seeping into foundation pits, start dewatering quickly to prevent delays. Also, check the weather to make smart decisions on casting.
• Keep Steel Clean: Removing mud before placing steel over PCC helps prevent rust, which keeps the foundation strong.
• Be Present to Build Trust: Staying on-site during important tasks like casting shows your commitment to quality and helps earn client trust.
• Plan for Enough Workforce: Notice any delays caused by low workforce or poor planning and suggest improvements to keep the project on track.
• Early Problem Detection: Suggest clients inspect for cracks or defects the next day, as this helps spot any early issues before they become bigger problems.