Construction Site Operation

Question: Discuss about the Construction Site Operation. Answer: Introduction AS 4000 is an essential guideline, Australian standard for contractors that provides general conditions for contracts. The current assignment highlights relevant AS 4000 clauses and processes by which contracts changes. Appropriate conditions relevant to work quality have also been cited using clauses and sections of AS 4000. Handling of additional works and correcting relevant anomalies through geotechnical information provided for tenderers are also cited as per AS 4000 clauses. Finally, the clauses have been discussed that is applied in scenarios when contractors proceed for submission of claims and seeks compensation. According to Clause 36 Variations of As 4000, the sub clause 36.1 of directing variation states that the superintendent may direct the contractor for a variation in the work under construction that involves design change affecting construction process subsequently. It might involve increase, decrease or omission of any part, alter quality or character, alter positions, lines, levels or dimension, carrying out additional work or demolish any material or work not required as per design. Sub clause 36.2 gives guidelines over proposed variations, which states that superintendent is supposed to provide a written notice regarding the variation of construction due to design change to the contractor. The written notice shall outline the effects on construction program and cost including all costs related to time. If the contractor for a design variation according to sub clause 36.3, variations for convenience of contractor, a written direction needs to be presented and if the direction does not mention any extra time or money, the contractor will not be entitled to any extra resources. According to sub clause 36.4 of pricing, variations due to numerous project constraints, needs to be executed which should be preceded by prior agreement, rates or price on the contract, price on quantity bills, rate schedules and contract documents. Reasonable price rates should include reasonable amount of overhead expense as well as deductions including profits. According to Clause 11 legislative requirements, during necessity of changes in works, work under contract, provision of services by municipal, public or statutory authorities or in a new charge fee or payment, the difference needs to be assessed by Superintendent of the project and needs to be adjusted by deduction or addition from contract sum. On the other hand, if the contractor requires any change, he is liable to write a notice regarding subsequent changes and representative name and present to the superintendent. Clause 29 of AS 4000 specifies necessary guidelines relevant to quality considerations for contract. Sub clause 29.1 regarding quality of work and materials states the use of suitable new materials and tradesman like as well as proper workmanship. It should be maintained unless specified by the contractor. Sub clause 29.2 regarding quality assurances of any contract works provides guidelines for circumstances where further quality assurance is required. It directs the contractors to establish, plan and ensure proper maintenance for conforming the total system of quality. Contractors should also ensure that superintendent has a complete access to system of quality for contractors as well as subcontractors that help them to ensure sufficient auditing quality and monitoring. The sub clause further guides that such system of quality must be used as an aiding guide for achieving contract compliance and for documenting the compliances. Any kind of discharge regarding contractors different obligations under contractors should not be executed under the system. According to sub clause 29.3 of defective work, during any identification of materials by superintendent provided by the contractor that does not comply with contract and is of insufficient quality, the superintendent might ask the contractor to rectify it. If further no rectification is done, the contractor might be liable to remove the material from site, demolish and destroy the work, needs to reconstruct or replace the work and not deliver to site. During circumstances when valuable minerals, articles, fossils, objects of antiquity, treasure trove, coins and articles of value, archaeological interest are found at site shall be subjected as a property of the principal between the parties. As soon as the valuable article is found, contractors should take adequate precautions, prevent removal, loss or damage, and provide the superintendent a written notice regarding the discovery. Any cost that is incurred by the contractor should be assessed and added to contract sum by the superintendent. As per Clause 25 latent conditions, sub clause 25.1 highlights the latent conditions of artificial things excluding weather conditions, differing materially from conditions physically and have anticipated written information that are made available through principal to contractors for tendering purpose. Sub clause 25.2 notification states that a contractor after being aware of latent conditions during carrying out work under contract should provide a written notice to the superintendent or a written statement including the latent condition encountered, additional work such as time, cost and resources as well as other details, which are required reasonably by superintendent. Finally, sub clause 25.3 of deemed variation states the effect of latent conditions which are priced having no additional cost incurred greater than 28 days before notice required by contractor through the scope of latent conditions. Additionally inclusion of other costs by contractors for compliance with sub clause 25.2 through a written statement of latent conditions, additional work and other necessary details is also outlined. Conclusion It can be concluded that clause 36 of variations in AS 4000 provides the contractors increase, decrease or omit any work under contracts and change quality or character as per design changes due to various project constraints like time, resources, materials and money. Any additional work, demolishing or change of lines, dimensions, positions or levels should also be carried as per clause 36. If any necessary changes require to be incurred, in domain of work, work under contracts or others the legislative requirements are provided in clause 11 of AS 4000. Clause 29 of AS 4000 outlines the quality requirements in establishing and planning along with sub clause 24.3 that focus on claims of variations during finding objects of antiquity or fossils. Finally, if a contractor encounters any unforeseen latent conditions, clause 25 provides guidelines for written information. Bibliography AS 4000, 1997, General Conditions of Contracts. Standards Australia, Amendment No. 3 (March 2005)