The core tasks of the construction coordinator according to the Construction Site Regulation
The Construction Site Regulation (BaustellV) requires clients to appoint a suitable coordinator as soon as employees from multiple employers are working on the construction site. This legal requirement primarily aims to ensure safety and health protection. The construction coordinator, often referred to as SiGeKo (Safety and Health Protection Coordinator), takes on this central task for the client. His work begins during the planning phase and extends throughout the entire construction execution. He is the central contact person for all involved companies and authorities and ensures the coordination of various tasks. The proper appointment and clear definition of his responsibilities are crucial since the client remains accountable, even when delegating. This role is thus the foundation for a legally compliant and organized construction site.
Responsibilities in the planning phase of the construction project
Even before the first spade stroke, the construction coordinator does crucial preparatory work. One of his most important tasks is the creation of the safety and health protection plan (SiGe-Plan). This plan identifies potential hazards arising from the interaction of different trades and establishes the necessary protective measures. Furthermore, the coordinator must notify the relevant authority about the construction site when specific criteria are met. He compiles documentation for later work on the construction facility, which increases safety during future maintenance or renovation measures by up to 40%. Careful coordination in this early stage lays the groundwork for an unimpeded construction process and helps to avoid later cost traps. efficient project management largely depends on this preparation.
Control and monitoring during construction execution
During construction execution, the role of the construction coordinator shifts from planner to active manager on-site. He is responsible for continuously adapting the SiGe plan to the progress of the construction and monitoring compliance. For this purpose, he conducts regular site inspections, often at least once a week, to check the implementation of safety measures. He organizes the cooperation of the various employers and ensures that the general principles of the Occupational Safety Act are followed by all parties involved. If he identifies deficiencies or deviations, he informs the client and the affected companies to prompt a quick correction. Comprehensive digital construction supervision supports him in keeping track and ensuring compliance with regulations.
Communication challenge: The bottleneck of coordination
The greatest operational challenge for any construction coordinator is seamless and traceable communication. Information is often exchanged over unstructured channels such as WhatsApp groups, phone calls, and emails. This leads to an information chaos where important instructions are lost, and documentation is legally compliant for only about 60% of the processes. Missing or misallocated information is one of the main causes of construction delays. The manual creation of daily construction reports and the allocation of photos to specific processes can cost up to two hours of valuable work time each day. Language barriers in international teams further complicate the situation and increase the risk of misunderstandings by at least 30%. Without a central tool, efficient construction coordination via software is hardly imaginable.
Efficiency increase through digital tools: How the modern construction coordinator works
Modern construction coordinators rely on digital solutions to enhance efficiency and increase legal certainty. A central platform like Valoon, which is directly based on WhatsApp, solves communication problems without additional training efforts for the employees on site. All relevant information, from photos to voice messages, is automatically and legally compliant documented. Here are some of the advantages that arise from this:
- Automated daily construction reports: Save up to 90 minutes a day with automatically generated reports.
- Legally compliant documentation: All data is stored immutably and with a time stamp, increasing evidentiary power by 100%.
- Live translation: Overcome language barriers with an integrated translation function for over 20 languages.
- Simple defect management: Record and track defects directly via photo and voice message, which reduces resolution time by 50%.
These tools transform the smartphone into a powerful instrument for digital construction management and coordination.
Minimizing liability through comprehensive documentation
The responsibility of the construction coordinator is substantial and carries significant liability risks. He is liable for the consequences of coordination errors that lead to accidents or construction defects. Insufficient documentation can have serious legal and financial consequences in the event of a dispute, potentially amounting to up to 25% of the project costs. Clean, digital documentation is the best protection against liability claims. With a solution like Valoon, every instruction, approval, and defect report is automatically and immutably recorded. This creates a transparent and seamless chain of evidence that protects both the construction coordinator and the client. While liability generally ends upon completion of the construction work, precise documentation is essential during this period. This ensures the successful construction project management is also legally secured.
Conclusion: The construction coordinator as a digital efficiency manager
The construction coordinator is much more than just a legally mandated safety officer. He is the central manager who determines the success or failure of a construction project. By using digital tools like Valoon, he can increase his efficiency by over 20%, optimize communication, and ensure legal certainty for all parties involved. The simple, WhatsApp-based solution ensures high acceptance on the construction site and puts an end to communication chaos and incomplete documentation. Secure your projects and increase your productivity. Book your free demo now and discover how Valoon revolutionizes your construction coordination.
More Links
Die State Government of North Rhine-Westphalia provides comprehensive information on safety and health protection on construction sites.
Die Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAUA) provides detailed information on the coordinator according to the Construction Site Regulation.
Das Fraunhofer IESE publishes a blog article about a study on digitization in the construction industry.
Das Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides an article on the digitization potential in construction activity statistics.
PwC publishes a press release on a study about the construction industry in 2023, focusing on digitization and sustainability.
Die Professional Association of the Construction Industry (BG BAU) informs about rules for occupational safety on construction sites.
Der Association of German Engineers (VDI) offers a directory of its guidelines.
FAQ
When is a construction coordinator mandatory on a construction site?
A construction coordinator is required under the German Construction Site Regulation (BaustellV) as soon as employees from multiple employers are working simultaneously or successively on a construction site. The obligation to appoint lies with the client.
What is a SiGe plan and who creates it?
The safety and health protection plan (SiGe plan) is created by the construction coordinator during the planning phase of the construction project. It identifies hazards arising from the interaction of different trades and specifies the protective measures to avoid accidents and health risks.
Does the construction coordinator have directive authority?
According to the Construction Site Regulation, the construction coordinator generally has no direct directive authority over the executing companies. His task is to coordinate and advise. However, directive authority can be contractually granted to him by the client, which must be clearly defined and communicated to all parties involved.
How does Valoon specifically assist a construction coordinator?
Valoon simplifies the work of the construction coordinator by consolidating all communication and documentation through a WhatsApp-based interface. All messages, photos, and documents are automatically, legally compliant, and chronologically archived. Features like live translation and automated daily construction report generation save several hours of administrative effort daily and minimize liability risks.
Who is liable in the event of an accident on site?
Liability in the event of an accident is complex. In principle, each employer is liable for their own employees. However, the construction coordinator is liable if the accident can be attributed to a coordination error, i.e., poor coordination of safety measures between trades. Comprehensive documentation is crucial to demonstrate compliance with obligations.
Can the tasks of the construction coordinator be transferred to the construction manager?
Yes, this is possible, provided that the construction manager possesses the required qualifications according to RAB 30 as a coordinator. In practice, however, this is often not ideal, as it can lead to conflicts of interest between the responsibility for their own trade (construction manager) and the neutral oversight and coordination obligation (construction coordinator).
