Industrial construction crew supervisors lead, schedule and co-ordinate the activities of crews that install, assemble or maintain components of industrial products and structures. They are front line managers who supervise the safety and productivity of their work crews and work closely with employers, crew members, other contractors and clients.
Crew supervisors may oversee work performed in a wide variety of trades, occupations or crafts. For example, crew members may be boilermakers, carpenters, construction craft labourers, crane and hoisting equipment operators, electricians, equipment operators, field heat treatment technicians, fireproofers, heavy equipment technicians, instrumentation technicians, insulators, ironworkers, millwrights, painter-decorators, plasterers, scaffolders, sheet metal workers, steamfitter-pipefitters or welders.
Duties vary depending on the type of work they supervise but, in general, crew supervisors:
- Lead the crew and act as the employer’s representative on the job
- Follow project plans and schedules
- Plan and co-ordinate activities with other crews on the job site
- Supervise the crew’s daily and weekly activities
- Ensure a safe workplace and that crew members observe safety procedures
- Ensure the crew’s work meets industry standards for quality and crew productivity
- Prepare reports and documentation as required by the employer
In smaller crews, supervisors may be working foremen who perform some of the same types of work that other crew members perform. General foremen are not required to perform the tasks of the trade, occupation or craft they lead. Both working foremen and general foremen may be required to be present when crews are working.