1|Building Technology SBA

Jermaine Forbes

Introduction

The research is an investigation into the management and operation of a business enterprise related to building construction. It takes in consideration, ethics, health and safety, business procedures and the use of technology. The business enterprise researched is the HOWELLS hardware in Port Maria, St. Mary. This particular enterprise was chosen due to the different aspects of services that it provides in building construction. The researcher carried out and interview with the with the manager which was the most suitable medium of obtaining the information needed; this interview was done orally. Pictures were taken to facilitate in the visual appearance of the establishment. The business is privately owned and is managed by the owner and his family. It was established due to the constant development of buildings in St. Mary and to supply citizens of St. Mary with a wider variety of building equipments and materials.

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Jermaine Forbes

Careers
Career Opportunity
Some career opportunities offered by the HOWELLS hardware: 1. Sales clerk 2. Store-room operator 3. Cashier 4. Accountant 5. Cleaner 6. Manager

There are 23 employees who work in the hardware: there are two Sales Clerk who works at the front desk, 5 room operators, 1 accountant, 3 cleaners, the manager and the remaining are cashiers. Each of the individual employees are supervised by their superior who is the manager of the enterprise.

Norms, Regulation Codes.

Norms are regular procedures, standards and routines of employees as well as the employer. Workers are expected to arrive at work at 9:00 o clock which will commence at 5:00 o clock. They should sign in at attendance. They should also sign out when leaving in the afternoon . they should display good customer service and communication skills, dress appropriately, use their time productively and comply with their job description along with rules and regulations.

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Jermaine Forbes

Impact of Technology

Minimal technology is used thus lifting of heavy and bulky materials require manual labour. There is one computer that is used for spreadsheet/accounting and for keeping track of stocks (stock control), calculators for the two sales clerks and a cashing register used by the cashier/manager.

Workers are employed based on their personality, ability to work hard, interest in the type of work and references obtained and verified. Males are preferably to work in storage due to the level of work and heavy lifting that it required, never the less the sales clerk could be either male or female; a male driver is also preferable however, it has nothing to do with being a feminist or sexist. The required age limit of employees is between the age of eighteen and fifty due to physical fitness and the type of work involved.

The hardware does comply with safety rules and precautions as staff is of importance as well as safety and building. There are three fire extinguishers at different locations in the building. The building is well ventilated and grilled, with the exception of the store room which is protected with an iron gate. Lighting is in order as there are sufficient lights in all areas of the building. There is a camera in place and an alarm system for criminals

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Jermaine Forbes

who may try to intrude. Employees are reminded at regular intervals to ensure that all safety precautions are adhered to. The manager also ensures keen supervision. Insurance providers. However, statutory deductions are being paid for each permanent employee. The business although being quite young has been contributing in a minimal way to community events. It does so by supporting/sponsoring school events such as fair, work days and sports day with both cash and kind.

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Jermaine Forbes

Ethical and moral considerations

In addition to the following safety procedures workers must dispose of waste in correct manner which, is storing in a particular place temporarily and later removes to garbage disposals provided by the parish counsel, thus preventing environmental hazards. Employees are provided with safety gears such as: gloves, overall for the store-room operators, hard boots and goggles to be worn when necessary for example when cutting steels. Some of the ground rules for site operations include: Wearing protective clothing at all times Observation of all safety rules which is displayed at different locations in the hardware No customers should go inside the store-room or handle tools used for preparing materials, for example: steel cutter, electric saw etc.

Employees wellbeing is taken into consideration. In case of an accident or emerge first aid is administrated accordingly, if necessary the worker is immediately rushed to the hospital or health center nearby. The accident is also reported on a standard form provided by the manger. Employees are compensated based on the cause of the accident; if it is negligence on their part there will be minimal or no compensation at all. The hardware is not able to make part-payment towards health insurance for employees but, they are encouraged to make individual contribution through credit union to established health.

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Jermaine Forbes

Summary
Howells hardware which has been in existence for a long time has been a productive business in the field of building construction and employment. It is also a registered organization that complies with national business procedures and adheres to ethical business standards and principles. It shows the keen interest in the wellbeing and interest of its employees and customers.

Recommendations
The researcher recommends that the manager provides some form of parking facility in order to make the transportation of goods more fluent.

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Jermaine Forbes

Interview Questions
Introduction: the researcher is a fifth form student of the St. Mary High School who is doing this research in order to complete this SBA which is related to Building Technology. 1. What is the main reason why you started this business in Port Maria St. Mary? 2. Is your business registered? 3. What is the progress of your business, have it grown financially? 4. How many people have you employed? 5. What employment positions do you offer? 6. Is there an age requirement needed before employment? 7. What gender employees do you prefer? 8. What safety measure do you have in place? 9. Do you have a fire extinguisher; if yes are the employees able to use it? 10. What type of protective gears is worn? 11. What are the rules that each employee have to adhere to? 12. What security measures do you have in place for the employees and the building? 13. Do you provide parking facilities 14. What type of technology do you utilize in your establishment? 15. In occurrence of an accident, how is it dealt with? 16. How does your business contribute to the upward mobility in the development of surrounding communities?

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Jermaine Forbes

APPENDIX