Getting to the Jobsite After morning quarters, crews should be able to get on a crew truck and depart for the project site with no  further  delay.  Crews  should  not  return  to  the barracks  or  the  galley  after  quarters.  Any  tools  or materials to be used up that morning should be drawn and  loaded  on  to  the  crew  truck  before  quarters. Turning  in  1250-1s  for  materials  and  tools  several days in advance will greatly reduce the time spent drawing  them  from  MLO/CTR.  Tools  requiring  safety checks  should  be  dropped  off  the  afternoon  before  and picked up in the morning. The hours of operation for MLO, CTR, and the other outlets should be addressed prior to deployment. It is very common to see MLO and CTR open an hour before quarters. Breaks The   frequency   and   duration   of   breaks   are determined by the crew leader based on how strenuous the  work  is,  the  temperature,  and  other  climatic factors. The crew should understand the daily break routine.   Watch   for   people   anticipating   breaks, standing   around   5   minutes   before   the   break   is scheduled,  or  waiting  for  the  crew  leader  to  announce it. You want the crew working until they are told to break. This can be a particular problem near lunchtime and the end of the workday. Similarly, the crew must be back “swinging hammers” immediately after the break   concludes. Paydays There are usually several options on locations and times for cashing paychecks. Find the shortest lines. Remember  you  are  trying  to  minimize  time  lost.  A common  scenario  is  to  knock  off  2  hours  early  on paydays to get checks cashed and make an exchange run. If this tactic is used, be sure your crew does not abuse  it. Medical/Dental Try  to  schedule  appointments  for  routine treatment/examinations  first  thing  in  the  morning  or at the end of the workday. If several members of your crew need to be seen for dental recall, try to get them scheduled together. Getting a group back to the jobsite will  be  easier  than  getting  them  back  separately. Coordinate  a  transportation  plan  with  other  crews working  in  the  same  general  location  to  get  crew members left in camp back out to the jobsite. PROJECT MONITORING The techniques used to evaluate the status of a project   and   compare   the   actual   progress   to   the scheduled   progress   is   referred   to   as   project monitoring.  To  monitor  a  project’s  progress,  crew leaders  must   master   completing   timecards, submitting  SITREP  input,  figuring  work  in  place (WIP),  updating  barcharts,  and  arranging  project photos. This section of the chapter will explain the techniques  used  to  monitor  a  construction  project. TIMECARDS Timecards are the most accurate way to record man-days being expended on a construction project. Timecards  allow  you  to  monitor  the  efficiency  and accountability  of  your  crew.  It  is  imperative  that timecards  be  filled  out  correctly  since  they  are  the basis of your SITREP input. Timecards are also the basis  for  historical  data  on  the  project,  availability factors,   P-405   estimates,   and   such.   Daily   Labor Distribution,  COMTHIRDNCB-GEN  5300/1,  is  the form  used  when  recording  man-days  expended. Crew Leaders Crew leaders must prepare timecards each day that reflect man-days expended by all personnel assigned to  them.  Subcontractor  crew  leaders  must  use  a timesheet  (fig.  2-24)  in  lieu  of  the  standard  timecard. An additional copy of this timesheet can be made with a sheet of carbon paper, but in all other ways it is identical to the standard timecard. The sub crew leader must fill out the timesheet in duplicate while on the project.  The  timesheet  reflects  all  subcontractor  labor and is signed by both the prime and sub crew leaders. The prime keeps the copy and turns it in with the timecard for prime personnel. The sub turns in the original  to  the  company  timekeeper.  This  method allows  the  prime  crew  leader  and  the  chain  of command  to  monitor  the  effort  being  expended  by  the subs and the time being charged against the project. All  labor  should  be  recorded  to  the  nearest  half  hour. Timecards must be maintained on file in the company office for the duration of the deployment. Productive Labor Productive   labor   is   man-days   expended   that directly  contribute  to  the  accomplishment  of  the battalion   mission.   This   includes   construction 2-31