ABSTRACT
The National Occupational Standards for Site Inspection (Construction L3) identifies five core or mandatary competencies that a capable and competent site inspector/Clerk of Works must adequately demonstrate and perform, i.e. monitor projects, monitor health and safety systems and responsibilities, prepare documentation for handover and obtain project feedback, prepare and organise site inspection information, and practise in a professional and ethical manner. The functions and attributes required of a professional Clerk of Works are: anticipation (ability to identify problems in advance), interpretation (verifying that the contractor fully understands instructions), recording as appropriate, inspection (detecting workmanship or materials not complying with standards), and reporting to the architect on a regular basis. The employer’s interests can be protected in many ways before the work start by doing a conditions survey or dilapidations survey. The relationship between the project manager/employer's agent and the Clerk of Work on the procedures that are to be adopted should be clarified.
