Construction quality inspector

Construction quality inspectors monitor the activities at larger construction sites to make sure everything happens according to standards and specifications. They pay close attention to potential safety problems and take samples of products to test for conformity with standards and specifications.

The following job titles also refer to construction quality inspector:

construction QA QS inspector
construction quality control and safety inspector
construction QA QS supervisor
construction quality control and safety supervisor

A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field is generally required to work as a construction quality inspector.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Construction quality inspector is a Skill level 3 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to construction quality inspector.

construction quality manager
construction safety manager
construction general supervisor
paperhanger supervisor
terrazzo setter supervisor

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of construction quality inspector. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of construction quality inspector with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

construction general contractor
installation engineer
mining geotechnical engineer
construction manager
dismantling engineer

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of construction quality inspector.

• Construction product regulation: Regulations on construction products quality standards applied throughout the European Union.

These skills are necessary for the role of construction quality inspector.

• Advise on construction materials: Provide advice on and test a wide range of construction materials.
• Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
• Check compatibility of materials: Make sure the materials are fit to be used together, and if there are any foreseeable interferences.
• Inspect construction supplies: Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.
• Maintain work area cleanliness: Keep the working area and equipment clean and orderly.
• Test construction material samples: Randomly select samples from a batch of construction materials and test their quality visually and using a variety of tests to gauge their relevant characteristics.
• Follow health and safety procedures in construction: Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.
• Make time-critical decisions: Pursue optimal time-critical decision making within the organisation.
• Evaluate employees work: Evaluate the need for labour for the work ahead. Evaluate the performance of the team of workers and inform superiors. Encourage and support the employees in learning, teach them techniques and check the application to ensure product quality and labour productivity.
• Supervise staff: Oversee the selection, training, performance and motivation of staff.
• Process incoming construction supplies: Receive incoming construction supplies, handle the transaction and enter the supplies into any internal administration system.
• Use safety equipment in construction: Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
• Recognise signs of wood rot: Check whether a wood element shows signs of rot. Aurally inspect the wood by testing what sound it makes on impact. Check for visual signs of rot.
• Ensure conformity to specifications: Ensure that the assembled products are conform to the specifications given.
• Liaise with managers: Liaise with managers of other departments ensuring effective service and communication, i.e. sales, planning, purchasing, trading, distribution and technical.
• Monitor construction site: Keep an overview of what happens at the construction site at all times. Identify who is present and what stage of the construction work each crew is in.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of construction quality inspector. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Design principles: The elements used in design such as unity, scale, proportion, balance, symmetry, space, form, texture, colour, light, shade and congruence and their application into practice.
• Total quality control: The quality control philosophy that expects each part to be of top quality, without any tolerance for subpar materials or methods. The mindset of striving to deliver top quality work without compromises.
• Building materials industry: Supplier, brands and types of products and goods available on the market of building materials.
• Statistical quality control: Quality control by sampling the appropriate number of items per lot to obtain a statistically significant result. Sampling the materials and determining their quality, either accepting or rejecting it, or rating it.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of construction quality inspector. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Organise quality circle: Create a quality circle, where small groups of users come together with a circle leader to discuss significant issues in the quality of the product or its use.
• Write specifications: Write documents where the expected characteristics of a product or service are specified. Make sure all necessary properties of the product or service are covered. Balance the level of detail with the need for flexibility.
• Communicate with external laboratories: Communicate with the external analytical laboratories in order to manage the required external testing process.
• Work in a construction team: Work as part of a team in a construction project. Communicate efficiently, sharing information with team members and reporting to supervisors. Follow instructions and adapt to changes in a flexible manner.
• Identify wood warp: Identify wood that has changed shape due to stresses, wear or incorrect installation. Recognise the different types of warp, like bow, twist, crook and cup. Identify possible causes and solutions to wood warp.

3112 – Civil engineering technicians

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References

1. Construction quality inspector – ESCO