COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Safe Coordination of Multiple Trades on Major Construction Sites course. This program is designed to equip you with the knowledge, strategies, and leadership skills required to safely manage the interaction of multiple trades on large-scale building projects.
Large-scale construction projects often involve multiple trades operating simultaneously within confined spaces, tight timelines, and evolving scopes of work. Without structured coordination, these overlapping activities can result in serious safety incidents, costly rework, program delays, and contractual disputes. This course begins by outlining the legal, operational, and safety-related responsibilities associated with trade coordination, particularly those held by site managers, supervisors, and principal contractors.
Successful coordination begins with strong leadership. You will explore the supervisory role in sequencing, communication, and onsite decision-making, while understanding the importance of liaising effectively with subcontractors, consultants, and the builder. Setting behavioural expectations and managing site culture are also vital to ensuring consistency and cooperation among trades.
A key element of this course is identifying the full range of trades and their interdependencies. You will learn how to map out major and supporting trades—such as carpenters, steel fixers, electricians, tilers, HVAC technicians, and waterproofers—and understand how their tasks intersect across construction phases. Recognising these dependencies allows for better sequencing, fewer clashes, and safer handovers.
Trade scopes are often detailed in various project documents. This course shows you how to review architectural, structural, and mechanical-electrical-plumbing (MEP) documentation to identify interfaces, overlaps, or grey areas. Understanding these documents is essential to clarify trade responsibilities and avoid confusion during site execution.
From there, the course delves into the development of a comprehensive trade coordination plan. This includes staging strategies, access protocols, and delivery coordination to mitigate risks from overlapping activities. You’ll learn how to allocate shared work zones, sequence access to tight spaces such as lift shafts and corridors, and plan for both vertical and horizontal trade activities.
Daily coordination is supported by robust planning tools. This course provides guidance on implementing construction programs using Gantt charts and lookahead schedules. You will learn how to connect short-term coordination to master timelines and manage key milestones, trade handovers, and float adjustments.
High-risk work permits and approvals are another critical element. You’ll explore how to manage simultaneous SWMS approvals, prevent conflicts with high-risk activities (such as hot works or working at heights), and maintain a safe permit-to-work environment where overlapping trades are present.
Onsite coordination is maintained through pre-starts, toolbox talks, and daily briefings. You will be shown how to lead trade interface meetings, communicate schedule changes, raise immediate risk alerts, and create an environment where trades can raise concerns early and constructively.
Trade coordination also extends to plant and equipment sharing. This course outlines how to manage crane, hoist, and pump scheduling; ensure competency and safety in equipment use; and address conflicts or disputes arising from shared resource allocation.
Site logistics, including delivery timing and storage zones, play a major role in trade flow. You’ll learn how to coordinate staggered deliveries, allocate laydown areas, and manage traffic flow to support efficient and hazard-free work progression.
Clear communication is the glue that binds effective trade coordination. This course emphasises protocols for intra-trade and cross-trade communication, assigning liaison officers, and establishing formal escalation procedures when conflicts arise.
Coordinating multiple trades involves controlling specific hazards. You’ll explore how to identify and mitigate risks from simultaneous tasks—such as overhead work, exclusion zones, or incompatible operations—using barriers, scheduling buffers, and designated work areas.
When trade conflicts emerge, proactive resolution is key. This course teaches you how to adjust programs, resolve sequencing issues, and use coordination overlays or 3D models to visualise and address spatial conflicts.
Maintaining oversight is also essential. You’ll learn how to monitor trade compliance through regular audits, conduct site walk-throughs, and enforce site policies using non-conformance reports (NCRs) or memos when required.
Documentation is a vital risk control. You will explore best practices for logging trade-related issues, recording safety breaches, and maintaining accurate records of coordination activities for contractual and WHS compliance.
As projects progress, reviewing coordination outcomes becomes important. This section will help you lead debriefs, gather feedback, and analyse trends in coordination performance. These insights can then be used to refine future projects and standard operating procedures.
Finally, the course concludes with practical strategies for embedding trade coordination into site culture. You’ll learn how to build collaboration into project planning, reward good coordination practices, and foster a respectful environment where safety and scheduling are shared responsibilities.
By the end of this course, you will have the practical tools and site leadership knowledge to plan, communicate, and manage the safe coordination of multiple trades—ensuring your projects run smoother, safer, and in full alignment with regulatory and contractual requirements.
Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to Trade Coordination in Major Projects
- Importance of effective coordination on large-scale builds
- Key risks when multiple trades operate in close proximity
- Legal and contractual responsibilities for site coordination
2. Understanding the Role of the Site Manager or Supervisor
- Leadership in logistics, safety, and sequencing
- Liaison between builders, subcontractors, and consultants
- Setting behavioural and operational expectations onsite
3. Identifying and Mapping Key Construction Trades
- Core trades: carpentry, concreting, formwork, electrical, plumbing
- Supporting trades: waterproofers, tilers, HVAC, steel fixers
- Inter-trade dependencies across different construction stages
4. Reviewing Project Documentation and Trade Scopes
- Reviewing architectural, structural, and MEP documentation
- Understanding trade-specific scopes, contracts, and specifications
- Identifying overlaps, grey areas, and points of interface
5. Developing a Trade Coordination Plan
- Outlining trade sequencing and access strategy
- Incorporating delivery, laydown, and staging requirements
- Identifying constraints and risks for overlapping activities
6. Managing Access and Shared Work Zones
- Allocating work areas based on program and trade priorities
- Avoiding congestion in corridors, risers, and lift cores
- Planning for simultaneous vertical and horizontal activities
7. Implementing the Construction Program and Lookahead Plans
- Using Gantt charts and lookahead tools for task visibility
- Linking short-term trade coordination to the master schedule
- Managing float, handover points, and trade handbacks
8. Coordinating Permits and High-Risk Work Approvals
- Managing SWMS approval across multiple trades
- Ensuring permit-to-work procedures for electrical, hot works, heights
- Preventing permit conflicts and trade interference
9. Supervising Daily Pre-starts and Coordination Meetings
- Leading toolbox meetings and trade interface briefings
- Sharing key risk alerts and scheduling updates
- Addressing trade concerns and site constraints in real time
10. Managing Shared Plant and Equipment Use
- Allocating crane, hoist, or concrete pump time slots
- Ensuring competent operation and inspection of equipment
- Resolving disputes over equipment access or site utilities
11. Coordinating Deliveries and Site Logistics
- Scheduling material drops to avoid delivery clashes
- Staging materials by level or zone for efficient access
- Managing site entry points, laydown areas, and traffic control
12. Ensuring Communication Between Trades
- Establishing protocols for communication across all trades
- Assigning liaison officers or trade supervisors
- Escalation pathways for resolving coordination disputes
13. Controlling Hazards Associated with Simultaneous Tasks
- Identifying specific risks: overhead works, confined spaces, exclusion zones
- Isolating trades from dangerous or incompatible activities
- Enforcing separation through barriers, signage, and supervision
14. Managing Conflicts Between Trade Workflows
- Resolving clashes in sequencing or priority access
- Adjusting programs to reflect real-time constraints
- Using coordination drawings or overlays to resolve issues
15. Monitoring Compliance and Trade Performance
- Conducting regular walk-throughs and trade audits
- Reviewing trade compliance with safety and scheduling plans
- Holding trades accountable through NCRs or site memos
16. Documenting Coordination Activities and Issues
- Logging trade interface issues in site reports
- Recording delays or safety breaches caused by poor coordination
- Keeping minutes of daily or weekly coordination meetings
17. Reviewing Lessons Learned from Trade Coordination
- Conducting post-stage or end-of-project debriefs
- Gathering feedback from subcontractors and supervisors
- Identifying trends in coordination failures or successes
18. Embedding Coordination Practices into Site Culture
- Promoting early engagement and collaboration among trades
- Recognising strong coordination efforts by individuals or crews
- Building a culture of communication, respect, and proactive planning
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.