Civil Engineering QC/QA: Best Practices for Audit Reviews

Purpose of Task

This task enables learners to critically review a QA/QC or safety audit report, identify non-conformances, and recommend corrective and preventive measures in accordance with UK regulations and industry standards. It develops analytical, ethical, and procedural decision-making skills in civil engineering projects.

Scenario Overview

You are the QA/QC Officer for a multi-storey commercial building project in London. You receive the monthly site audit report, which includes inspection results of concrete works, steel reinforcement, scaffolding, material storage, and PPE compliance.

The audit report indicates several non-conformances, but the report lacks detailed recommendations or corrective action plans. Your task is to critically evaluate the audit, identify gaps, and propose actions to ensure compliance and continuous improvement.

Relevant UK Legislation and Standards include:

BS EN ISO 9001:2015 – Quality management systems, internal audits, process control, and continual improvement
Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) – Roles and responsibilities of stakeholders in planning, monitoring, and executing safe construction
Building Regulations 2010 – Structural integrity, fire safety, and workmanship
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA 1974) – Integration of safety with quality processes

Audit Report Excerpt (Simplified)

Audit Item	Findings	Compliance Status	Comments
Concrete Mix Verification	Cement content below specification in 2 of 5 batches	Non-Compliant	Issue noted; no corrective action suggested
Steel Reinforcement Placement	Minor deviation from approved drawings	Partially Compliant	Inspector recommends “monitoring”
Scaffolding Guardrails	Missing on one leve	Non-Compliant	No immediate action suggested
Material Storage	Properly stacked and protected	Compliant	N/A
PPE Usage	Most workers wearing PPE	Partially Compliant	Some lapses observed; recommendation missing

Assessor Notes:

Learners must identify all non-compliance or partial compliance items and link audit findings to UK regulatory compliance. They are expected to propose corrective actions and preventive QA measures to enhance overall project quality and safety.

Concrete mix verification shows cement content below specification in 2 out of 5 batches, indicating a risk to structural integrity. This is non-compliant with Building Regulations 2010 and ISO 9001:2015. Corrective actions include re-testing, rejecting non-compliant batches, and notifying the Project Manager. Preventive measures may include revising supplier approval procedures and implementing a pre-pour testing protocol.

Steel reinforcement placement shows minor deviations from approved drawings, reflecting partial compliance. Root cause analysis should be conducted to determine whether rework is necessary. Preventive measures include additional training for site crews and enhanced supervision during placement.

Scaffolding guardrails are missing on one level, representing a serious safety hazard under HSWA 1974 and CDM 2015. Immediate corrective action involves stopping work at the affected level, installing missing guardrails, and notifying the Site Manager and QA Officer. Preventive measures include updating scaffolding inspection checklists and conducting daily safety audits.

PPE usage shows lapses in compliance, partially violating HSWA 1974. Corrective action involves issuing reminders and enforcing mandatory PPE usage, while preventive measures include incorporating PPE compliance into toolbox talks and performing random monitoring to ensure adherence.

For each corrective and preventive action, stakeholders must be clearly assigned. For example, concrete mix corrective actions involve the QA Officer and Project Engineer, while preventive actions are overseen by the QA Manager and Materials Engineer. Steel reinforcement corrective actions involve the QA Officer and Site Engineer, while preventive measures are the responsibility of the Site Supervisor and QA Manager.

Scaffolding corrective action is the Site Supervisor and QA Officer’s responsibility, with preventive oversight by the Health & Safety Officer and Project Manager. PPE corrective action is managed by the Site Supervisor, with preventive measures implemented by the Health & Safety Officer and QA Officer.

Learner Task

Learners are required to critically review the audit report, identify all non-compliance and partially compliant items, and highlight missing corrective or preventive measures. For each audit item, propose detailed step-by-step corrective actions and preventive strategies, referencing ISO 9001:2015, HSWA 1974, CDM 2015, and Building Regulations 2010.

Learners must assign responsible stakeholders for implementing each action and define timelines for completion and verification. Reflective analysis is required, explaining how audit findings influence quality assurance and project safety, and distinguishing between quality control (inspection-based) and quality assurance (preventive) approaches.

Submission Requirements:

Length: 3–4 pages
Include tables, bullet points, and headings
Reference all UK legislation and standards accurately

Expected Learner Outcomes

Upon completing this task, learners will be able to:

Critically review QA/QC and safety audit reports in civil engineering projects.
Identify gaps and areas for improvement in quality and safety processes.
Recommend corrective and preventive actions in line with UK legislation.
Assign stakeholders for accountability and implementation.
Reflect on the impact of audit findings on project quality, safety, and compliance.
Understand the difference between QA (preventive) and QC (reactive) approaches.