Introduction

On construction sites either large or small, supervision has a key role to play in preventing
accidents. Typical supervisory functions include planning and allocating work, making
decisions, monitoring performance and compliance, providing leadership and building
teamwork, and ensuring workforce involvement. (Croner-i, 2020)

Site supervision is the general direction, coordination and oversight of the on-site work
processes. Contractors is the one who have a duty to provide the necessary supervision to
their workers to enable them to perform their work safely and without risks to their health.
(Victoria, 2020)

The site supervisor will typically work closely with the site foreman, who is responsible for
organising construction works on site and report to the project manager. The role of a site
supervisor generally involves the management and supervision of a construction site in
accordance with health and safety guidelines. It is the responsibility of the site supervisor to
assess hazards, determine risks, conduct regular inspections, and maintain
a safety programme. (Buildings, 2020)

Site supervisors should have relevant experience in construction or civil engineering, as well
as appropriate health and safety training. Supervision is therefore heavily involved in the
running of a typical construction project and in particular in ensuring that health and safety is
effectively managed. (Buildings, 2020)
5.0 Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control

Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control (HIRARC) has become
fundamental to the practice of planning, management and the operation of a business as a
basic of risk management. The organizations that have carried out risk assessment at the work
place have noted numerous changes in their working practice. (DOSH, 2008)

HIRARC has become extremely important. With HIRARC, one will be able to identify
hazard, analyse and assess its associated risk and then apply the suitable control measures.
(DOSH, 2008)

5.1 Purpose of HIRARC

The purpose of HIRARC is to identify all the factors that may cause harm to employees and
others, to consider what the chances are of that harm actually be falling anyone in the
circumstances of a particular case and the possible severity that could come from it (the risks)
and to enable employers to plan, introduce and monitor preventive measures to ensure that
the risks are adequately controlled at all times. (DOSH, 2008)

5.2 Process of HIRARC

Process of HIRARC requires 4 simple steps –

a. classify work activities

b. identify hazard

c. conduct risk assessment (analyse and estimate risk from each hazard), by calculating or
estimating

i. likelihood of occurrence

ii. severity of hazard

d. decides if risk is tolerable and apply control measures (if necessary). (DOSH, 2008)