Foreman - what kind of profession? Duties of the superintendent

Choosing a profession, a person must clearly understand what it is, and also have a complete picture of what knowledge and effort it will require from him. But sometimes people get the wrong idea about a particular specialty. For example, in construction there is such a position - foreman. Who is this? What does he do and what issues does he solve?

The essence of the profession

You can start the discussion with the name. Often in it lies the main meaning. What does the name of the profession "foreman" say? This is most likely a person who knows everything about work. Dictionaries interpret this a little differently. By definition, "foreman" is literally understood as the manufacturer of some work on the construction or construction of something. He belongs to the category of leaders. From this it is clear that in his subordination is a team of people who directly perform these same works. In short, a foreman is a person who, by virtue of his duties, directly supervises the construction of a particular facility on a given site. Therefore, its competence includes:

• organization of the production process,
• accounting of work performed by the team,
• monitoring compliance with construction deadlines,
• organization of work in the area entrusted to him, aimed at fulfilling the assignment assigned by the construction management: commissioning of the facility under construction.

What you need to know

In the end, the foreman is responsible for the quality of the work performed by each of his subordinates. This requires that he have specific professional skills. In other words, the manager must be well versed and be able to do the work of any of his employees. Of course, he should not work instead of them, but he must understand and understand what they are doing. Otherwise, it will be difficult for him to exercise control over them. Perhaps that is why each of the foremen in the past has many years of experience. After all, a variety of types of work are usually carried out on a site: general construction, electrical, finishing, welding, laying various kinds of communications, and others. And in each of them, the leader must understand. In addition, he must also know:

1. Technology and organization of work in construction.
2. The procedure for maintaining design estimates.
3. Labor Legislation. Rules of OT, VTR, TB and industrial sanitation.
4. Building standards and rules of work.
5. Existing standards for commissioning, commissioning and acceptance of work performed.
6. Basic economic concepts.
7. The relationship between customers and contractors (subcontractors).

The result is that the foreman is a unique mid-level manager.

What does the foreman do?

The most difficult thing is to list the duties of the superintendent. They are twofold. For his subordinates, he is a leader who monitors everything that is happening on his site. And for the bosses, he is a person who bears full responsibility for the work entrusted to him. As a result, a rather capacious and heavy load lays on the shoulders of the foreman. Based on the compiled project documentation, he must plan on site each stage of the work performed and monitor its implementation. To do this, he needs to constantly monitor the availability, as well as timely deliveries of raw materials. He must provide the construction site with personnel and bear full responsibility for each of them. In addition, the foreman is obliged to create the necessary working conditions at the facility that meet all the norms and rules. After all, now it is he who will be responsible for the health of each employee for the entire construction period. And he directly takes part in the accrual of salaries to them all. The foreman must organize work on his site so as not to violate the terms approved by the contract. For this, he is also responsible. Among other things, the duties of the superintendent also include the preparation of documentation for the accounting of work performed and current planned reporting. So it turns out that any object is obtained exactly as the foreman sees it.

Nearest assistant

The organization of the construction process is attended by leaders at various levels. The superintendent reports directly to the construction manager. But he alone would never be able to solve all issues so quickly. For these purposes, a staff unit is available to assist him in the state. He is not just a subordinate, but a kind of right hand and a faithful helper. The master assumes responsibility for preparing the front of work. He must: study the drawings, draw up outfits, put people in jobs and provide them with everything necessary. The task is not easy. And who will be responsible for possible imperfections or violations of existing standards? Master again. The foreman only organizes the process as a whole. And it is the master and the subordinate foremen who deal with specific issues on the ground. It is the master who is responsible for everything that happens on the site. And in addition, he still bears material and criminal responsibility for all his subordinates. If a brick fell on his head or he committed theft, then the master will have to answer for it.

Foreman requirements

A person who claims to be a superintendent, in addition to specialized education and work experience in a specialty, must also possess such necessary qualities as high working capacity, self-organization, and the ability to work with people. He should not be afraid of responsibility. Indeed, this is his work. The foreman, among other things, should be a little economist and accountant, partly a personnel officer and lawyer. He must be able to plan everything well: work, materials, performers. He will also need charting skills. In addition, he must be able to communicate with people correctly and be as sociable as possible. It is necessary to strive to ensure that subordinates respect him, and not be afraid. The ability to properly conduct a conversation and gently defend their point of view will provide indispensable assistance to such a specialist in conversations with customers and conversations with management. Even the appearance and manner of behavior should give in it an indispensable organizer and a good professional.

In life as in production

Each person at least once in a life is faced with construction problems. Take, for example, the most common repairs. If it concerns only wallpapering or painting floors, then outside help may not be needed. But those who decided “on a grand scale” to renew their living quarters will certainly need the help of a specialized organization. This may be a small private company or a large company engaged in individual orders. In any case, the construction foreman will supervise the work on a specific site. This is a person who, on behalf of the company, assumes responsibility for the fact that the work specified in the contract will be performed at the proper level and within the approved time frame. He leads a team of workers, each of which performs its specific function. In this case, the foreman does not just hand over the work and signs the documents. He organizes the work and can, if necessary, give professional advice to any of the workers. Such a leader in this particular situation is simply necessary. And if necessary, he will explain to the customer all the points of interest to him.