Employment at Casa Bella Construction - Report Example

Content Work Experience Report: Employment Report at Casa Bella Construction By Name Presented to Instructor Course Institution, State Due Date Introduction This report outlines my experience as a worker at Casa Bella Construction Company. I worked at the company from November 10, 2013 to January 10, 2014 and from January 25, 2015 to February 25, 2015. The type of the project is the construction of residential housing. Overview of the Company Casa Bella Construction is co-owned by Dan and Cindy Fulcher. Having been raised around construction, their father (who worked manually to construct structures and homes of outstanding quality and design) inspired them to create the current award winning construction firm. Dan developed an interest in construction work while he was still a young child. He spent five of his early years with a large local building agency where he served as a construction superintendent and estimator. Since then, he dedicated his career on developing Casa Bella Construction. The construction firm has completed vast projects. The company is committed to design and constructing beautiful, unique and outstandingly quality homes for its customers. The company offers excellent customer service and definite personal attention from the planning stage, during site construction and extend to the end of the warranty period. Its associates include the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the State Certified Licensed General Contractor and the Home Builders Association of Central Mexico (HBACNM). Outline of Work Undertaken My experience at Casa Bella Construction involved engagement in myriad activities. Given the company’s tight and busy schedule, I encountered numerous opportunities for contributing to the various tasks at the enterprise. The whole spectrum of the work undertaken fall under five broad categories as outlined in my job reference at the firm. They include basic construction cleaning, assistance to make and pour concrete, helping to fabricate steel on site, surveying (measuring elevations) and site marking and conducting safety assessment. Basic construction cleaning The first step of the building process was excavation. It involves the process of removing debris (soil and rock) from its initial space to pave the way for the construction of a foundation, underground utility components and the basement. It is conducted to weed out organic soil and other unwanted materials to secure the structure from chemical attacking. Therefore, I undertook my first task on this part. My input involved handwork besides assistance in machine operations such as excavators, compactors, loaders and loader or motor graders. For example, my input was an asset in stockpiling of the excavated materials for backfill or grading fill for subsequent use. Different projects call for different excavations including pit, bulk and trench excavation subsequently. Also, I was charged with ensuring that excavation was in line with the levels, depth, lines, width and grades specified on the drawings or by the engineer. Assisting to make and pour concrete In this section, I dedicated a good part of my time at the site to become familiar with a variety of site operations and to acquire more practical knowledge. Site services, in general, encompass every type of work carried out at the site stretching from setting out finishing operations according to the given specifications and methodology. The site operations that I have been through in the two separate periods at the company were in the substructure operation and superstructure operations exclusively. A typical construction comprises two parts namely the substructure and superstructure. The former involves any structure below the ground floor slab level (such as the basement, ground slab, foundation floor slab, retaining walls, and grade beam). The latter constitutes the section of a building that extends above the grade beam. In simple terms, it is anything above the substructure or first-floor slab, the main walls, column and pillars. A large proportion of work on these structures involved the preparation and pouring of the motor. In most of the projects concreting work was carried out with ready mix concrete. However, in the event of difficulties or anomalies in conveying the ready mix concrete, employees would be called upon to provide manual labour. However, as a worker, my input into this operation was immense. I joined my team in making and pouring the concrete into the structures. However, specifications were crucial to the process. Each team member had the responsibility reading the standards as well as specifications for preparing the concrete. This situation happens due to the notion different structures require a different ratio of the mixture. My task was to read and adhere to these requirements. Assisting to fabricate steel on site My work at the site stretched to steel fabrication. Although, most of the operations in this field were machine-based, human input was still necessary. I assisted in the process of bending, cutting, and shaping steel alloy to develop different items such as doors, windows, slabs, grills, among others. This activity called for specialized technical skills; thus I was keen at observing and applying the skills I acquired from steel experts. In fact, I could various forms of predetermined shapes from steel. Besides that, joining the pieces of steel required human input which I was always ready to provide. Therefore, I helped the technicians in this area. Surveying (measure the elevation) and site marking I undertook several tasks in the site survey and marking. Accurate construction survey and site marking is a primary step in ensuring the success of a building project. In the course of site development, the surveyor adapts the engineer’s or architect’s design incorporated on the plan and stakes their definite position on the ground. However, one cannot undertake this activity alone. I helped the surveyors in measuring elevation, marking the sites, finding and fixing points of intersections, among other procedures. My input enhanced the accuracy and reliability of the survey outcomes. Safety checks Construction safety checks are the active strategies for detecting harmful and hazardous conditions at the worksite. Building sites need constant monitoring and evaluation to avert security issues. Construction sites are always dangerous; thus construction workers are always susceptible to numerous injuries. On top of that, equipment is also subject to damage, corrosion, and wear and tear. In this segment, my task was to inspect and determine whether work conformed to the specified methodology that the supervisor recommends. Also, I undertook other safety checkups to determine whether safety precautions such as the use of safety shoes, gloves and helmets as well as the use of warning signals are in perfect condition. In the event the methodology was not used, I had to prepare a good report explaining the reason they failed to execute the task on it. Moreover, I also maintained a filing system for all the workplace memos and procedures, measured amounts of operations and materials on site. From this responsibility, I would prepare a report and other relevant documents and correspondence regarding the building activities. Importance of Engineers to this Work An engineer plays a fundamental role in the construction work. The chief engineer at Casa Bella Construction handles multiple building projects or a single significant project necessitating technical skills and competence from different disciplines. He plays an important function in offering direction in the construction of projects and in reviewing designs and plans. In fact, he is the consultant expert upon which all other personnel turn to in the difficulties about the work at hand. Also, he studies and interprets the work plan (as agreed upon by the contractor) and recommends necessary modifications. Furthermore, he applies the project designs and plans to mark the construction site and other subsequent facilities and structures related to the project. For instance, the engineer would appear on the site when there was a misunderstanding on working procedures, structure plan and drawings and drawing detailing errors, besides meetings convened by all the stakeholders in the project. Role of Engineers in the Workplace and Society An engineer, specifically a site engineer, serves a technical, organisation and supervisory functions in the building of projects, setting out and establishing the location for both the substructure and superstructures in construction work. As noted earlier, most building projects come with particular plans and designs the building agency has to conform to during the actual work. Therefore, it is a breach of contract should the workers divert from the specified framework. It becomes the concern of the engineer to ensure that the work stays on course with no or very minimal diversion. The engineer serves as part of the project management team by liaising with and operating alongside the whole spectrum of construction team (architects, contractors and sub-contractors, supervisors, planners and surveyors, and construction managers). He assumes but shares responsibility with other players for site safety and security, health and safety of personnel, as well as the planning and coordination of material and human resources. Moreover, he observes and inspects the construction activities to ensure that all work conformed to architectural drawings, technical specifications as well as bills of quantities. Besides that, the engineer checks out the layout and sets out a project with respect to the structures and levels at hand. Also, the engineer is always required in starting up process systems, facilities or equipment for passing over to the contractor’s construction personnel. His tasks stretch to field supervision whereby he directs site workers as well as contractors in the area with quality assurance provided in the plans and specifications. The role of engineers in construction work does not end at the site; rather it stretches to the larger society within which developments projects take place. One of the significant roles they play in the society concerns safety and security of buildings and humans. I illustrate this function in two ways. First, they engage contractors and manual labourers in ensuring that they conform to the prescribed safety and security standards. For instance, they liaise with surveyors in identifying secure places for the establishment of homes. In fact, it is only after assessing a site that they can approve the commencement of a construction project. Moreover, they supervise the erection of structures; recommending appropriate ratio and standards of construction and respond to potential threats and risks at the sites. Besides that, engineers play a leading role in upholding human safety at the workplace. I can recall one incidence where the engineer spotted one of my colleagues without safety shoes while making concrete. That event pissed him to the point of sending the worker home. Relating University Material to the Workplace Concerning practical application, I could relate numerous classroom skills to different site operations. For instance, I could apply skills acquired in theoretical measurement experiments in actual site measurements activities such as site marking and measuring elevation. Besides that, I used measurement skills in designing (along technical persons) different structures such as slabs, pillars, walls, and grade beam among others. Moreover, the class instruction knowledge about ratio was an asset in preparing concrete. Concrete is a mixture of different ingredients. However, the process of mixing these components was quite demanding since it calls for maximum attention on the quantities of the elements to incorporate into the mixture. Therefore, having advanced my ratio competence, I could quickly help my colleagues come up with appropriate concrete for different structures. Besides, I applied class skills during the primary construction cleaning. For instance, I participated in staking the outline of the excavation. Finally, I related class safety and security standards at work. As both a learner and worker, I was more determined in maintaining workplace safety since I handled part of my insurance cover. Interaction between Engineers and Other People Interaction between engineers and other people is often limited. Tight schedules and myriad responsibilities can account for this limited contact. Like other technical and management staff, interaction with engineers is widely formal. Practical Learning Points Identified The overall employment opportunity at Casa Bella Construction offered me a chance for enhancing understanding of the functional working environment in the construction industry. In particular, it gave me the opportunity to put in practice knowledge I had acquired in class instruction. It scaled up my theoretical knowledge and skill base. For instance, I was able to apply group dynamic, and leadership skills gained in class on different occasions while on the construction sites. For example, I put in practice team-playing skills by engaging with both skilled and non-skilled persons at the workplace efficiently. I learned that structural drawing was the fundamental language of the architect or designer, the engineer as well as any other worker at the construction site. It gives direction to produce the model in position based on the designer and client specifications. Therefore, working in this industry calls for understanding and comprehending the structure drawings and other associated particulars. Drawings constitute the standard means of communication for all kinds and sizes of projects. At the sites, I tried to further my understanding of the drawings to facilitate communication with the professional engineer as well as other workers. Also, I learned that construction projects involve both skilled and non-skilled personnel. However, all these groups are vital to the success of any construction initiative. For instance, while the former provides technical and expertise skills and directions, the latter avails the necessary human power for affecting the programmes and guidelines about the project. Therefore, the final product of the construction venture is a function of both parties. Nonetheless, as a learner, there was a need to incline to both to benefit from the entire opportunity. For example, both groups will present a chance to enhance the learner’s practical skill. The skilled workers would help me acquire the technical skills while helping them in their operations. On the other hand, the non-skilled labourers would present efficient procedures especially for carrying out manual work. Also, they would create a conducive working and learning atmosphere given the fact that they are relatively easier to relate. Conclusion Working at Casa Bella offered me an impressive opportunity. The experience enabled me to apply and practice class-related theoretical knowledge and skills into. While at the company, I undertook numerous tasks and activities. I learned that structural drawings are fundamental means through which construction workers interpret their work. Also, both skilled and on-skilled labourers are critical to the project because they constitute the whole team. Reference List Job Reference Annex Job Attestation To Whom It May Concern, I, the undersigned, Khalil Fayad, registered in Association of Engineering & Architects – Beirut, under number 13715, hereby certify that Mr. Hussein Salman was employed at CASA BELLA Construction Company from November 10, 2013 to January 10, 2014 and from January 25, 2015 to February 25, 2015. The type of the project is the construction of residential housing. His duties were: Basic construction cleaning Assisting to make and pour concrete Assisting to fabricate steel on site Surveying (measure the elevation) and site marking Safety check His responsibilities were Strictly follow the safety standards Create a positive working atmosphere He is reputable enjoying good conduct and preserving regularly to his work. Read More