Contractors and quality - how to make it pay

The imposition of quality assurance on Australia's road surfacing industry promises significant long term gains. Other countries and other industries have unequivocally demonstrated that the modern way to efficiency and market leadership is through a properly constructed and implemented quality assurance program. The methodology of a standards systems approach to quality assurance (based on one of the national or international standards) does apply to the road surfacing industry. Standards for quality systems are only models, however, and must be built on to suit the individual requirements of individual companies. The return from quality assurance depends upon how well this system is integrated. For a medium size asphalt company with only basic quality control, quality assurance should cost no more than $60,000 to set up, including the time of existing staff. $84,000 p.a. will cover the running costs including the inspection function passed on from State Road Authorities. The cost to most companies, where a great deal of infrastructure already exists, will be significantly less. While the idea of added cost in a recessionary market may not be palatable, investment in quality assurance will pay for itself within three years and earn, for those who implement it, a secure future in a more demanding market.

• Authors:
  • Wilks, B J
  • Holleran, G
• Conference:
  • ASPAC 92: IRF/ARF ASIA PACIFIC REGIONAL ROAD CONFERENCE, 1992, GOLD COAST, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
• Publication Date: 1992

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 170-85 (Wednesday)
• Monograph Title: ASPAC 92: IRF/ARF Asia Regional Pacific Road Conference, 1992, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Contractors; Contracts; Maintenance management; Quality assurance; Quality control; Surface course (Pavements)
• ATRI Terms: Contract; Contractor; Maintenance management; Quality assurance; Quality control; Surfacing
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01433195
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 24 2012 5:29PM