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Construction Industry Basics, Site Rules & Laws

Construction (Building) · 建設分野(建築区分) · Written by Tokutei Pass based on the official study texts; not copied verbatim.

Characteristics of Construction, Project Delivery System, and Workflow

Construction work is characterized by 'order-made single-item production (Juchuu ippin seisan)', meaning each structure is custom-designed and built on site after receiving an order from the client (owner).

The construction company that contracts directly with the client is the 'prime contractor (Motouke gyousha)', and the engineer who verifies on the client's behalf that work matches the design drawings is the 'supervisor (Kanrisha)'.

Within the three SSW categories, the 'Building category (Kenchiku kubun)' covers formwork, rebar, and interior finishing; structural types include steel structures (S) and reinforced concrete structures (RC, combining tensile-strong rebar with compressive- and fire-resistant concrete).

Building construction proceeds in order: Temporary work → Earthwork & Foundation work → Structural frame work (Kutai) → Exterior/Interior finishing & MEP equipment → Cleaning (Bisou), punch-list rectification (Dame-kouji), final inspection, and handover.

Characteristics of Construction, Project Delivery System, and Workflow

Key points


  • Construction is order-made on-site production, and the contractor hired directly by the client is the prime contractor (Motouke).

  • RC structures combine tensile-resistant rebar and compressive/fire-resistant concrete; H-beam/steel-tube frames are steel structures (S).

  • Removing protective coverings, cleaning (Bisou), and fixing scratches or unfinished items before handover is called 'Dame-kouji (punch-list repair)'.
WordMeaning
Order-made single-item production (Juchuu ippin seisan)
Prime contractor (Motouke gyousha)
Punch-list rectification work (Dame-kouji)

Construction Management (QCDSE, 5M) and Site Roles

The five construction management goals 'QCDSE' stand for Quality, Cost, Delivery (schedule), Safety, and Environment.

The '5M' elements of construction planning are Men (labor), Materials, Methods, Machinery, and Money; high-insulation, high-airtightness buildings are also emphasized today to save energy and prevent condensation.

On site, workers use 'shop drawings (Sekouzu)' detailing joint fits and fabrication dimensions along with 'construction schedules (Kouteihyou)', and take 'construction photos' with a blackboard to document hidden parts and finished dimensions.

The chief engineer (Shunin gijutsusha), foreman (Shokuchou), and operations chief for hazardous work (Sagyou shuninsha) coordinate daily safety patrols and short pre-work Tool Box Meetings (TBM).

Key points


  • QCDSE stands for Quality, Cost, Delivery, Safety, and Environment; accurate measurement to reduce waste and rework supports Cost management (C).

  • Drawings showing on-site fitting and fabrication dimensions are 'shop drawings (Sekouzu)', and bar-chart progress tables are 'schedules (Kouteihyou)'.

  • A brief pre-work meeting led by the foreman in small groups to review procedures and KY is called a Tool Box Meeting (TBM).
WordMeaning
Five management goals (QCDSE)
Shop drawing / Working drawing (Sekouzu)
Operations chief (Sagyou shuninsha)
Tool Box Meeting (TBM)

Construction Laws, Labor Standards, and Environmental Protection

Building earthquake resistance and floor-area ratios are governed by the 'Building Standards Act', while the 'Construction Business Act' prohibits 'blanket subcontracting (Ikkatsu shitaukeoi / Marunage)' where a contractor passes the entire project to another firm without managing it.

Under the Labor Standards Act, statutory working hours are up to '8 hours per day and 40 hours per week' with at least a '60-minute break' when working over 8 hours, and wages must be paid 'in currency, directly to the worker, in full, at least once a month, on a fixed date'.

Workers' compensation insurance premiums are paid entirely by the employer and concealing work injuries ('Rousai kakushi') is a crime. Employers must provide health checkups upon hiring and once a year, training when tasks change, and ensure workers carry required license/training certificates.

Sort industrial waste and track it with a 'Manifest' to prevent illegal dumping; recycle designated materials (concrete blocks, asphalt-concrete, wood), prevent asbestos dispersion, use low-noise machinery, and neutralize alkaline wash water instead of pouring it into drains.

Key points


  • Statutory working hours are 8 hours/day and 40 hours/week (minimum 60-minute break over 8 hours); concealing work injuries and blanket subcontracting are illegal.

  • General health checkups are mandatory upon hiring and once every year; workers must complete statutory training and carry certificates for cranes, slinging, or scaffolding.

  • Manage industrial waste with a Manifest, and collect alkaline concrete wash water in a tank for neutralization rather than dumping it into gutters.
WordMeaning
Blanket subcontracting (Ikkatsu shitaukeoi)
Industrial waste manifest (Manifest)
Asbestos (Ishiwata)
Designated construction materials for recycling

Site Etiquette, 5S Activities, and CCUS

Greet coworkers with 'Go-anzen ni' and 'Otsukaresama desu', and practice 'Hou-Ren-Sou (Report, Inform, Consult)' along with the '5S activities (Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain)'.

Button jacket fronts and cuffs, never walk with hands in pockets, and never work under the influence of alcohol; report lack of sleep or poor health to the foreman before starting work.

Inspect, clean, and return borrowed tools to their designated storage, and scrape mud off boots before entering break rooms. Smoke only in designated areas, keep site entrances clean, and lock heavy machinery and gates at the end of the day.

In the 'Construction Career Up System (CCUS)', which records workers' qualifications and site work history via IC cards, the Level 1 card issued upon initial registration is 'White'.

Key points


  • Basic workplace communication is 'Hou-Ren-Sou (Report, Inform, Consult)', and the 5S principles are Seiri, Seiton, Seisou, Seiketsu, and Shitsuke.

  • Working under the influence of alcohol is strictly prohibited; report poor physical condition or tool malfunctions to the foreman immediately.

  • The Level 1 (apprentice) card color in the Construction Career Up System (CCUS) is White.
WordMeaning
Report, Inform, Consult (Hou-Ren-Sou)
5S Activities (Seiri, Seiton, Seisou, Seiketsu, Shitsuke)
Construction Career Up System (CCUS)

Construction Basics, Site Rules, and Laws

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Official references