case study - BUILDING CAPABILITY ON THE GROUND: BORED PILING SUPPORT
Project Overview
Ascon provided ground support to an established bored-piling crew working on Great South Road in Epsom.
The team supported reinforcing cage preparation and installation, tremie pipe activities, concrete pours, plant movements and the preparation needed around each stage of the piling operation.
The work involved heavy plant, lifting activities, changing work areas and several activities happening across the site at the same time. The first few days focused on learning the client’s work sequence, equipment, terminology and crew expectations.
Our Approach
Ascon initially placed an experienced site lead alongside a worker who was developing his piling experience.
The site lead worked with the CLL crew to understand how cages were prepared and installed, how tremie equipment was managed, what equipment was needed at each stage and how the ground crew supported the operators.
As the team became more familiar with the work, they started preparing equipment and work areas before they were asked.
Cage-installation gear was grouped and ready, chains and bars were moved closer to upcoming work areas, tremie equipment was prepared, and quieter periods were used to organise storage sheds and get ready for the next activity.
This reduced unnecessary walking and searching for equipment and helped keep the ground crew ready as the piling operation moved forward.
Client Feedback
The client gave positive feedback on the way the Ascon team worked.
They noted that our workers:
• took on tasks without hesitation
• asked questions when they were unsure
• were willing to learn
• brought useful skills to the crew
• became more proactive as they learned the operation
The experienced site lead was recognised for being able to see what needed to happen next. The developing worker completed tasks well when they were explained clearly and built more initiative as his understanding of the operation grew.
Ascon's Value
The project showed that good piling ground support comes from understanding the work sequence and being ready for what happens next.
Rather than waiting for each task to be assigned, the team learned to prepare ahead, keep equipment organised and support the crew as the work progressed.
The placement also strengthened Ascon’s approach: place an experienced person into the operation first, learn the client’s requirements, support the incoming worker alongside them, then step back once the worker is confident and settled into the crew.
Outcome
By the end of the placement, Ascon had built practical experience in:
• reinforcing cage preparation and installation support
• tremie pipe preparation and handling
• concrete and post-pour support
• working around heavy plant
• preparing equipment and work areas for the next stage of the piling operation
The learnings from the project are now being used to improve how Ascon recruits, prepares and supports workers for future piling and drilling projects.