It is the prime responsibility of the construction manager to ensure economic use of material. He should take the following precautions to achieve this :
- Scattering of material around the construction site causes a serious loss, particularly if the material possesses a high intrinsic value as in the case of cement, steel or such other construction material.
- It may not be always possible to specify an exact quantity of material required on site. Liberal supplies leave certain surplus after the completion of the job. This excess material is seldom returned to the store. If this surplus material is collected from all the corners, it will avoid excess cost. Care should be taken to recover it and deposit in the store.
- Materials manager should make constant efforts to collect and store all scrap and unused material so as to recover as much value as possible. He should arrange to keep the site clean.
- Any change in the construction design that will leave construction material unused, should be avoided.
- The wasteful use of indirect material (material used for scaffolding etc.) and surplus is another reason for great losses, especially on the large construction projects.
- Economic handling and use are fruitful fields of study for the construction manager.
