Category Archives: CODE OF PRACTICE FOR SITE SUPERVISION

CODE OF PRACTICE FOR SITE SUPERVISION – Eligibility of Member of HKICM as TCP T4 to T1

Table 6
Eligibility of Member of HKICM as TCP T4 to T1 (with academic background in building or civil engineering)
Type of Building Works or Street Works	RC’s Stream
Construction Supervisor Member as TCP T1	Associate as TCP T2	Associate as TCP T3	Corporate Member as TCP T4
GIFW	No	N/A	N/A	No
Building Works with significant geotechnical content	Civil	Civil	N/A	Civil
Foundation Works	Building (except for piling works) or Civil	Building (except for piling works) or Civil	N/A	Building (except for piling works) or Civil
Street Works or all Building Works, (other than the above types of works and Minor Works)	Building or Civil	N/A	Building or Civil	Building or Civil
Class I Minor Works	Building or Civil	N/A	Building or Civil	N/A

Notes: The above recognition is based on the following entrance requirements for the various classes of membership of HKICM:

Construction Supervisor Members, who have attained the academic and working experience requirements as stipulated in section 2.4.2 and 6.4 of HKICM’s Membership Handbook (June 2005);
- Associates, who have attained the academic and working experience requirements as stipulated in section 2.3.2, 6.1.3, 6.1.4, 6.2.3 and 6.2.4 of HKICM’s Membership Handbook (June 2005); and
- Corporate Members, who have fulfilled the academic requirements and have had post qualification professional experience as stipulated in section 2.2.2.1, 6.1.1, 6.1.2, 6.2.1 and 6.2.2 of HKICM’s Membership Handbook (June 2005). (Only the degree programmes listed in section 6.1.2 and 6.2.2 of HKICM’s Membership Handbook (June 2005) tally with the academic requirements in paragraph 8.19(c) and Table 8.7 of this Code.)

A person who is a corporate member or fellow of the Institute of Clerks of Works and Construction Inspectorate (Hong Kong) (formerly Institute of Clerks of Works of Great Britain Incorporated (Hong Kong Branch)) in the civil/structural engineering or building/architectural studies disciplines may be appointed as TCP of grade T3 in accordance with Table 7 and

Table 8 (with Notes) below, provided that he has the required relevant working experience.

CODE OF PRACTICE FOR SITE SUPERVISION – Eligibility of Corporate Member of HKICW or CIOB as TCP T3 to T1

Leave a reply

Eligibility of Corporate Member of HKICW or CIOB as TCP T3 to T1 (with academic background in civil/structural/geotechnical engineering)
Type of Building Works or Street Works	TCP T3 in AP’s Stream	TCP T3 in RSE’s Stream	TCP T3 to T2 in RGE’s Stream	TCP T3 to T1 in RC’s Stream
GIFW	Yes	N/A	No	No
Building Works with significant geotechnical content	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Foundation Works	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Street Works or all Building Works, (other than the above types of works and Minor Works)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Class I Minor Works	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Note: For eligibility of a corporate member of HKICW or CIOB as T4, please refer to TCP qualifications and experience in paragraph 8 of this Code.

2(a) A person who is an associate member of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers of a relevant discipline for not less than two years may be appointed as TCP of grade T3 to T1 for street works or building works.

2(b) A person who is an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Building (ACIOB) with a duly recognized higher certificate or higher diploma of the relevant prescribed qualification in Table 8.6 of this Code, and with not less than five years relevant experience, may be appointed as TCP of grade T3 in the RC’s stream to perform the corresponding work types specified in that table.

3(a) During the early implementation stage of the Supervision Plan System before 22 December 2005, site supervisory personnel who did not meet the required academic qualifications as specified in the Technical Memorandum, but had sufficient years of relevant experience as per part (a) of Table 3 (with Notes) below, attended top-up training courses organized by Vocational Training Council (VTC) or the Construction Industry Council Training Academy (CICTA) (formerly the Construction Industry Training Authority (CITA)) and acquired an Equivalent Certificate would be accepted to possess equivalent qualifications as specified in the Technical Memorandum on a permanent basis. He can be appointed as TCP of grade T3 to T1 in the respective streams in accordance with part (a) of Table 4 below.

3(b)(i) As the industry has raised that there is shortage in the supply of TCP T1, there is a need for organizing a “Technically Competent Person T1 Training Course”, similar to previous top-up courses, to enhance the technical ability of site supervisory personnel working in the industry but do not meet the required academic qualifications as specified in the Technical Memorandum, so that they can perform the duties of TCP T1. A person who has relevant prior experience of not less than 5 years is eligible to attend the “Technically Competent Person T1 Training Course” offered by the HK Institute of Vocational Education (HKIVE) or the Construction Industry Council Training Academy (CICTA) and upon acquiring the “TCP T1 Certificate” will be accepted to possess equivalent qualifications required for a TCP T1 on a permanent basis. He may be appointed as TCP of grade T1 in accordance with part (b) of Table 3 (with Notes) and Table 4 below.

3(b)(ii) With the introduction of minor works as a type of building works different from the major works in the Technical Memorandum, to facilitate site supervisory personnel working in the industry who do not meet the required

academic qualifications as specified in the Technical Memorandum but would like to continue their current role to supervise minor works only, if they have relevant prior experience of not less than 5 years, they would be eligible to attend the “Technically Competent Person T1 (Minor Works) Training Course” offered by the HKIVE or the CICTA and upon acquiring the “TCP T1 (Minor Works) Certificate” will be accepted to possess equivalent qualifications required for a TCP T1 for supervision of minor works only on a permanent basis. Any such person may be appointed as TCP of grade T1 for supervision of minor works only in accordance with part (b) of Table 3 (with Notes) and Table 4 below.

CODE OF PRACTICE FOR SITE SUPERVISION – Administrative Procedures for Ground Investigation Field Works

Leave a reply

Administrative Procedures for Ground Investigation Field Works
Item	Procedure	Detailed Requirements
1.	Appointment of AP/RSE/RGE	AP is required to be appointed as the co-ordinator of the works by the submission of specified Form BA 4. RSE/RGE may also be appointed as necessary. The geotechnical consultant responsible for preparation of the geotechnical content of the future submission of foundation, site formation, excavation or other plans or geotechnical assessments should be involved at this stage and work under the direction of the AP and/or RSE/RGE.
2.	Submission of ground investigation plans for approval and consent	Ground investigation plans, indicating the extent of works to be carried out, are required to be submitted in all cases. In the case within scheduled areas, approval and consent under the Buildings Ordinance will be followed whereas in the non-scheduled areas, approval and consent is not required by virtue of s.41(3) of the BO. Nevertheless the ground investigation plan will be useful for BA’s record and for the assessment of level of supervision required.
3.	Submission of Form BA 10 notifying the commencement of work	The RSC(GIFW) is required to submit Form BA 10 which has been signed by the RSC(GIFW) and endorsed by the AP. Form BA 11 and a new Form BA 10 are required if there is a change of contractor during the course of the work.
4.	Submission of Site Supervision Plan	For Scheduled Areas A supervision plan is required to be submitted prior to or at the time of consent application for commencement of ground investigation field works. The plan should specify the name of TCPs and CP(Logging) appointed and the frequency of inspection and/or extent of supervision for GIFW. For Non-Scheduled Areas Prior to or at the same time of submission of Form BA 10, a supervision plan is required to be submitted, specifying the name of TCPs and CP(Logging) appointed and the frequency of inspection and/or extent of supervision for ground investigation field works. No prior approval of the supervision plan is required before the works are commenced. The AP/RGE/RSC should ensure that their TCPs satisfy the qualification and experience requirements specified, and should notify the BA of any subsequent changes of supervisors.

Item	Procedure	Detailed Requirements
5.	Submission of Form BA 14 notifying the completion of work	Form BA 14 is required to be submitted by the RSC(GIFW), AP and RGE upon completion of the ground investigation field works.
6.	Submission of ground investigation reports in support of the approval of foundation, site formation, excavation or other proposals or geotechnical assessments	The ground investigation report shall include the following: a certificate from the authorized signatory of the RSC (GIFW) confirming that:the RSC(GIFW) is responsible for the works stated in the report and that the works have been conducted according to GEOGUIDE 2 and 3;the works have been carried out under supervision in accordance with the requirements stipulated and the supervision plan submitted;the logging of samples and preparation of borehole logs in accordance with GEOGUIDE 3 have been carried out by a Competent Person; andthe field density tests and other tests of samples have been conducted by a HOKLAS accredited laboratory.a certificate from the RGE that he has provided supervision in accordance with the requirements stipulated and the supervision plan submitted.copies of the Form BA 10 and BA 14 previously submitted for BD’s information in view of possible time lapse between the completion of ground investigation and the submission of foundation plans etc. for approval; anda proper surveyed record of the boreholes. The relevant foundation, site formation, excavation or other plans may be disapproved if the ground investigation report is found not acceptable or not including the above information.

CODE OF PRACTICE FOR SITE SUPERVISION – Definition of Degree in geology which covers the specified engineering related subjects

Leave a reply

Definition of Degree in geology which covers the specified engineering related subjects

2.0 A degree in geology which covers the specified engineering related subjects shall mean a degree in geology which should have at least three of its modules covering any three or more of the following subjects: soil mechanics, rock mechanics, engineering geology, hydrogeology, applied geoscience and foundation engineering.

CODE OF PRACTICE FOR SITE SUPERVISION – Qualifications of Competent Person (Logging) and TCPs (GIFW)

Leave a reply

Qualifications of Competent Person (Logging) and TCPs (GIFW)

1.0 (i) The Competent Person (Logging) shall either be (a) a degree holder in geology (see Note 1) or a cognate subject (see Note 2) in which at least 50% of the course content comprises geological based subjects (see Note 3) with not less than 3 years of post-qualification experience in ground investigation which must include logging of samples; or (b) a degree holder in geology or a cognate subject in which at least 25% of the course content comprises geological based subjects with not less than 5 years of post-qualification experience in ground investigation which must include logging of samples.

New applicants for Competent Person (Logging) will be required to submit documentary evidence in support of their core logging experience (e.g. submission of logs that the applicant has produced, including a brief statement of 2-3 pages explaining the technical aspects in preparing such logs and the reasons for choosing the submitted logs to support his/her application).

Note 1 Examples of degree in geology are applied geology, earth science, engineering geology, geological sciences, geology, mining geology and petroleum geology. The degree should be awarded by universities funded by the University Grants Committee. Otherwise the academic qualification should be assessed by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (formerly Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation) as up to a local degree level.

Note 2 Examples of cognate subjects are environmental science, geography, geomorphology, geotechnical engineering, mining and soil science.

Note 3 Examples of geological based subjects are applied geology, earth dynamics, earth systems, economic/mining geology, engineering geology, environmental geology, field camp/field school/field mapping, geochemistry, geomorphology, earth/surficial processes, landform/quaternary geology, geophysics, historical geology,

hydrogeology, mineralogy, palaeontology, petroleum geology, petrology (igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary), physical geology, physics of the Earth, plate tectonics, regional geology, rock mechanics, sedimentology/principles of sedimentation, stratigraphy, soil mechanics and structural geology. An applicant who holds a degree in geology or a cognate subject in which at least 25% but less than 50% of the course content comprises geological based subjects is considered to have topped up the geological based subjects in his or her degree to at least 50% if he or she has obtained a recognized relevant post-degree qualification (e.g. Post-graduate Diploma in Earth Sciences at the University of Hong Kong or equivalent).

(ii) A person who has already been accepted as a Logging Geologist under the Development Bureau’s List of Approved Suppliers of Materials and Specialist Contractors for Public Works in the Category of Ground Investigation Field Works may also be a competent person for logging of samples and preparation of borehole logs.

CODE OF PRACTICE FOR SITE SUPERVISION – Non-conformity and Rectification Reports

Leave a reply

Non-conformity and Rectification Reports

If a non-conformity arises and comes to the attention of a TCP, the following procedures should be initiated :
The TCP informs the Representative of his own functional stream (who will in turn inform the AP, RSE, RGE and the RC of the non-conformity) and completes Part 1 of Form B;
If the non-conformity is considered to pose an imminent danger, the AP reports the non-conformity to the BA;
AP/RSE/RGE issues Instruction to the RC to rectify the non-conformity;
AP/RSE/RGE’s Representative will ensure that the rectification works are completed promptly and satisfactorily;
If the non-conformity is considered to cause material concern for safety and the RC fails to comply with the rectification instruction, the AP will coordinate further action and report the non-conformity to the BA;
Otherwise, AP/RSE/RGE certifies the completion of the rectification works and complete Part 2 of Form B; and
If the non-conformity has been considered to pose an imminent danger, AP reports to the BA the rectifications made.

A flow chart showing the procedures for dealing with non-conformity is shown in Figure 10.1.

CODE OF PRACTICE FOR SITE SUPERVISION – Site Supervision Reports

Leave a reply

Site Supervision Reports

Site supervision reports are required to be completed by all TCPs whenever they carry out site safety supervision activities. These reports should be filed and maintained at the site office for the inspection of the BA. AP/RSE/RGE/AS are required to keep their inspection records at site such as notes/photo records and the works items inspected on site, particularly during the critical stages of works.

CODE OF PRACTICE FOR SITE SUPERVISION – Interstream Communication

Leave a reply

Interstream Communication

Interstream communications are as important as within-stream communications in order to facilitate effective supervision. TCPs shall take all reasonable and practical steps to inform their counterparts of any aspects of the works which have concern or may cause concern on matters related to safety.

CODE OF PRACTICE FOR SITE SUPERVISION – Critical Stages of the Works

Leave a reply

Critical Stages of the Works

Table 1 of the Technical Memorandum specifies that higher grade TCP and/or more frequent site inspections up to full time may be required at critical stages of the works. Such more frequent site inspections at critical stages are set out in Table 9.1.

The RC should notify the AP, RSE and RGE of the commencement date and estimated time for completion of the critical stages of works in sufficient time before commencing the critical stages to ensure that the respective TCPs would perform their supervision roles during the carrying out of the critical stage of works on site.

In addition, the AP, RSE, RGE, or RC may determine that certain sections of the works are particularly difficult or risk prone or that the consequences of a non-conformity may be serious. In these cases any party may notify his counterparts that he considers the section of works to be a critical activity and be included in the supervision plan.

CODE OF PRACTICE FOR SITE SUPERVISION – TCP qualifications and experience

Leave a reply

TCP qualifications and experience

The minimum qualifications and experience required for each grade of TCP are set out in Table 2 of the Technical Memorandum. Experience, wherever mentioned in this Code, means relevant working experience as defined in Note

(1) in Table 2 of the Technical Memorandum.

Academic qualifications required for each grade of TCP are recognised in accordance with the following principles :
1. Diplomas and certificates must have been awarded by the Institutes of Vocational Education, or the previous Technical Institutes, operated under the Vocational Training Council;
1. Higher diplomas and higher certificates must have been awarded by universities funded by the University Grants Committee, or the Institutes of Vocational Education or the previous Technical Institutes operated under the Vocational Training Council;
1. Bachelor degrees and higher degrees must have been awarded by universities funded by the University Grants Committee or currently

recognised by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA), the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) or the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS);

Degrees awarded by universities or institutes other than those mentioned in (c) above are classified as higher diplomas;
- Non-graduate vocational qualifications awarded by institutions other than those mentioned in (a) and (b) above are subject to the acceptance of the BA;
- Notwithstanding (d) above, other overseas degrees or higher degrees may be recognised by the HKIA, HKIE or HKIS and, if so, will be accepted under (c) above. Evidence of such recognition should be produced to the BA by the AP, RSE, RGE or RC when appointments of TCPs with such qualifications are proposed in the supervision plans; and
- Overseas or other local diplomas/certificates or higher diplomas/ higher certificates may be accredited by recognised accreditation bodies such as the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (formerly Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation) if their qualifications are equivalent to that conferred by institutes operated under the Vocational Training Council. Evidence of such accreditation should be produced by the AP, RSE, RGE or RC to the BA for acceptance before making proposals on appointments of TCPs with such qualifications.

Details of the professional and academic qualifications and the relevant disciplines that are acceptable for TCPs of grade T1 to T5 should be as set out in Tables 8.4 to 8.8 respectively.

TCP qualification and experience accepted during transitional period before 22 December 2005 or accepted pursuant to the corresponding recognition and requirements prescribed in this paragraph are recorded at Appendix X.