Improving an algorithm for classifying error types of front-line workers: Insights from a case study in the construction industry

2010 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 422-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarcisio Abreu Saurin ◽  
Mara Grando Costella ◽  
Marcelo Fabiano Costella
2020 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 198-213
Author(s):  
Paulo Rocha ◽  
Ann-Karin Holmen

In recent years, the English government has been using competitive elements in the process of allocating public funds through policy. Front-line workers struggle with the limitations imposed by such a model. A qualitative case study was conducted to investigate the impact of a new performance-based policy on front-line workers of a public service called Liaison and Diversion. The findings demonstrated that professionals have been adapting the policy to local circumstances found at the street level. We argued that adaptation is a form of employee-based innovation that optimises the use of scarce resources and customises services to the clients.


2021 ◽  
pp. 112-128
Author(s):  
Neelam Choudhary

Police is an agency characterized by multi-functionality, to handle civic problems and to fight crime like robbery, murder, etc. As they are among the first ones to respond to an emergency, they have been classified as public safety personnel (PSP) such as medical officials and firefighters. The police personnel struggle hard to handle issues related to law enforcement functions, which consumes the bulk of their time. This paper discusses the main challenges faced by J & K Police officials (In incharge Police posts, Station House Officers and newly recruited Sub-Inspectors) posted in the Jammu region, during COVID-19. Such a study was needed due to the unanticipated situation created by COVID-19 and the unprecedented scale to which it affected people in general and front-line workers in particular. A qualitative approach has been used to present findings. Results show that during COVID-19, J & K police personnel have pursued their day-to-day activities quite zealously. Even if they do not have a day off and cannot celebrate festivals like other people, they are contented with whatever they have been able to do for society at large. Their families are supportive and do understand the toughness of their job, though at times, their preoccupation with a 24 × 7 job puts their personal relations at stake. They have efficient coping strategies. Despite experiencing physical and mental fatigue, they consider serving the nation as their prime duty. Health issues are common, but ignored by them. However, handling the public and keeping them indoors has been the biggest challenge faced by them. Many of them have reported the arrogance of the public, including the educated people, when asked for maintaining social distance and the reasons for coming out. This experience, coupled with extra efforts to be made by them in a crisis situation disheartens them.


2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 1067-1077 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarcisio Abreu Saurin ◽  
Lia Buarque de Macedo Guimarães ◽  
Marcelo Fabiano Costella ◽  
Lucimara Ballardin

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 25-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillermina Andrea Peñaloza ◽  
Carlos Torres Formoso ◽  
Tarcisio Abreu Saurin

Abstract Besides increasing productivity, prefabricated building systems can also contribute to the reduction of the levels of risk exposure by workers. However, there are several hazards that can be faced by workers involved in the assembly of prefabricated components, such as being struck by objects during lifting and handling of large components, and falls from height. This paper is focused on the assembly process of precast concrete building systems, widely used in Brazil. It is uses the Resilience Engineering theoretical framework, which has been pointed out as the new paradigm to manage health and safety, being concerned with the abilities of a system to adjust its functioning prior to, during, or following changes and disturbances, so that it can sustain required operations under unexpected conditions. The aim of this paper is to propose guidelines to design preventive measures, based on the identification of resilient skills used by front-line workers involved in the process of assembling precast concrete structures. Those skills were identified in a case study carried out in a construction site in Brazil, in which some critical assembly processes were analyzed at a fine level of detail.


Buildings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 260
Author(s):  
James Ellis ◽  
David John Edwards ◽  
Wellington Didibhuku Thwala ◽  
Obuks Ejohwomu ◽  
Ernest Effah Ameyaw ◽  
...  

This research explores the failure of competitively tendered projects in the UK construction industry to procure the most suited contractor(s) to conduct the works. Such work may have equal relevance for other developed nations globally. This research seeks to teach clients and their representatives that “lowest price” does not mean “best value”, by presenting a case study of a successfully negotiated tender undertaken by a small-to-medium enterprise (SME) contractor; SME studies are relatively scant in academic literature. By applying the “lessons learnt” principle, this study seeks to improve future practice through the development of a novel alternative procurement option (i.e., negotiation). A mixed philosophical stance combining interpretivism and pragmatism was used—interpretivism to critically review literature in order to form the basis of inductive research to discuss negotiation as a viable procurement route, and pragmatism to analyse perceptions of tendering and procurement. The methods used follow a three-stage waterfall process including: (1) literature review and pilot study; (2) quantitative analysis of case study data; and (3) qualitative data collection via a focus group. Our research underscores the need to advise clients and their representatives of the importance of understanding the scope of works allowed within a tender submission before discounting it based solely on price. In addition, we highlight the failings of competitive tendering, which results in increased costs and project duration once the works commence on site. These findings provide new contemporary insight into procurement and tendering in the construction industry, with emphasis on SME contractors, existing relationships, and open-book negotiation. This research illustrates the adverse effects of early cost estimates produced without first securing a true understanding of project buildability and programming. Our work concludes with a novel insight into an alternative procurement option that involves early SME contractor involvement in an open-book environment, without the need for a third-party cost control.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8238
Author(s):  
Noemi Bakos ◽  
Rosa Schiano-Phan

To transform the negative impacts of buildings on the environment into a positive footprint, a radical shift from the current, linear ‘make-use-dispose’ practice to a closed-loop ‘make-use-return’ system, associated with a circular economy, is necessary. This research aims to demonstrate the possible shift to a circular construction industry by developing the first practical framework with tangible benchmarks for a ‘Circular University Campus’ based on an exemplary case study project, which is a real project development in India. As a first step, a thorough literature review was undertaken to demonstrate the social, environmental and economic benefits of a circular construction industry. As next step, the guideline for a ‘Circular University Campus’ was developed, and its applicability tested on the case study. As final step, the evolved principles were used to establish ‘Project Specific Circular Building Indicators’ for a student residential block and enhance the proposed design through bioclimatic and regenerative design strategies. The building’s performance was evaluated through computational simulations, whole-life carbon analysis and a circular building assessment tool. The results demonstrated the benefits and feasibility of bioclimatic, regenerative building and neighbourhood design and provided practical prototypical case study and guidelines which can be adapted by architects, planners and governmental institutions to other projects, thereby enabling the shift to a restorative, circular construction industry.


Vaccine ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (48) ◽  
pp. 7165-7170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyra H. Grantz ◽  
Pauline Claudot ◽  
Micky Kambala ◽  
Mariama Kouyaté ◽  
Aboubacar Soumah ◽  
...  

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e043949
Author(s):  
Paul Bennett ◽  
S Noble ◽  
Stephen Johnston ◽  
David Jones ◽  
Rachael Hunter

ObjectivesTo gain insight into the experiences and concerns of front-line National Health Service (NHS) workers while caring for patients with COVID-19.DesignQualitative analysis of data collected through an anonymous website (www.covidconfidential) provided a repository of uncensored COVID-19 experiences of front-line NHS workers, accessed via a link advertised on the Twitter feed of two high profile medical tweeters and their retweets.SettingCommunity of NHS workers who accessed this social media.Participants54 healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses and physiotherapists, accessed the website and left a ‘story’.ResultsStories ranged from 1 word to 10 min in length. Thematic analysis identified common themes, with a central aspect being the experience and psychological consequence of trauma. Specific themes were: (1) the shock of the virus, (2) staff sacrifice and dedication, (3) collateral damage ranging from personal health concerns to the long-term impact on, and care of, discharged patients and (4) a hierarchy of power and inequality within the healthcare system.ConclusionsCOVID-19 confidential gave an outlet for unprompted and uncensored stories of healthcare workers in the context of COVID-19. In addition to personal experiences of trauma, there were perceptions that many operational difficulties stemmed from inequalities of power between management and front-line workers. Learning from these experiences will reduce staff distress and improve patient care in the face of further waves of the pandemic.


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