scholarly journals ACHIEVING SAFETY AND PRODUCTIVITY IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 311-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafiq Muhammad CHOUDHRY
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Practical Knowledge ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Hard Copy ◽  
Construction Sites

Improvement of safety and productivity are major concerns throughout the construction industry. There is a dearth of efforts that document the need for simultaneous achievement of safety and productivity on construction sites. The objective of this research is to investigate productivity and safety simultaneously on construction projects by con­ducting a survey. In total, 1,800 hard-copy questionnaires were distributed and the response rate was 81%, resulting in 1,454 valid questionnaires for analysis. Safety and productivity were investigated on 25 construction projects by means of statistical analysis. The results indicated that eleven of the fifteen significant findings pertained to safety and the rest to productivity. The results confirmed that it is possible to improve productivity and safety simultaneously on construc­tion projects. All measures were found to be correlated with both safety and productivity. The findings of this research provide practical knowledge to project managers and safety practitioners on construction projects to achieve safety and productivity simultaneously. The methodology of research might be useful for research at other construction projects in other regions and cultures.

FACTORS CAUSING PROBLEMS IN MANAGING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN A COUNTRY UNDER MILITARY OCCUPATION: Contractors’ Perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 05 (07) ◽  
pp. 01-07
Author(s):  
Akram Subhe Suleiman ◽  
Jafar Subhi Hardan Abahre
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Project Manager ◽  
Military Occupation ◽  
The Political ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Political Situation ◽  
The Impact

An exhaustive literature search revealed that not much research has been done on factors causing problems in managing a construction project in a country under military occupation like Palestine. So, it is the main goal of this research is to identify these factors which could be used by the decision makers to select the appropriate project manager who bosses the suitable skills and competencies to deal with these problems. The study is a step toward determining means to improve the effectiveness of projects through identifying project manager competencies. It is important for Palestinian construction industry to progress in terms of project success; the problems that face the project managers must be determined and identified, in order to achieve the best results with less risk. A clear understanding of such problems helps the Palestinian construction industry of finding the suitable solutions to overcome these problems. A questionnaire survey was carried out to achieve the main aim of this research. The respondents were engineers have more than 3 years in the position of project manager in the Palestinian construction industry. The survey was based on factors drawn from findings of another researches in different countries, together with special factors identified as potentially affecting Palestine. The results identified many factors created problems; they were clustered in eight groups. These groups were arranged according to respondents in descending order as follows: the political situation of Palestine, lack of consultants` technical competencies, lack of resources, insufficient planning, team members uncommitted, conflicts between departments, breakdowns in communications, and changes in goals. As a result of this study one could conclude that managing a project in Palestine is as difficult as the complication of the political situation of the country. The project manager should have a complicated mixture of skills and competencies from dealing with Israeli occupation to dealing with stakeholders to lack of resources and unclear goals. The study has recommended to the Palestinian government to improve the regulations and laws to meet the impact of closure and segmentation of the Palestine.

Sustainable procurement in the Canadian construction industry: challenges and benefits

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 417-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajeev Ruparathna ◽  
Kasun Hewage
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Waste Generation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Sustainability Performance ◽  
Sustainable Procurement ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
Harmful Emissions

Disregard of triple bottom line (TBL) of sustainability is one of the major drawbacks of current construction procurement practices. Sustainable procurement is an emergent concept that can improve procurement practices and enhance the sustainability performance of the construction industry as a whole. Presently, sustainable procurement is still not fully utilized in the Canadian construction industry. A comprehensive literature review showed that the construction industry is still not fully aware about the benefits of using sustainable procurement or ways of implementing the same. This study evaluates challenges encountered in implementing sustainable procurement in the Canadian construction industry. In addition, this study investigates perceptions of construction professionals on the benefits of using sustainable procurement for construction projects. A country wide questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect required data. A statistical analysis was performed to rank the challenges and benefits of sustainable procurement. Findings from semi-structured interviews were used to validate the results observed in the statistical analysis. This study revealed that lack of funding is the main challenge for implementing sustainable procurement, while reducing harmful emissions and waste generation was identified as the main benefit. It was concluded that the leadership and commitment of the project owners is the key to fully establish sustainable procurement in the Canadian construction industry.

scholarly journals Employment of Unskilled Craft Workers in the UAE Construction Projects: Explicating the Reasons

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (10S) ◽  
pp. 410-414
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Project Performance ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Project Delivery ◽  
Undesirable Outputs ◽  
Management Level ◽  
Delivery Performance ◽  
Depth Interview

The United Arab Emirates construction industry is beset with negative project performance outputs, such as defects, low productivity, delay in completion, and higher costs. Most critical among the recorded reasons for having these undesirable outputs is the engagement of unskilled craft workers. However, the demand for construction projects in the UAE is continually increasing, especially after Dubai won hosting of Expo 2020, as this consequently translates to increased demand for skilled construction craft workers, if optimal project delivery performance must be achieved. Therefore, subject matters related to skillfulness and productivity of construction craft workers become research windows for academic scholars and industry investigators in the UAE built environment. The main purpose of this study is to explicate the reasons behind employment of unskilled craft workers in the construction projects from the management level perspective. To meet this purpose, the authors conducted in-depth interview with construction project managers. The results show number of reasons why unskilled craft workers are been hired and the effect of specialized certificates on hiring the craft workers

scholarly journals Analysing Delays of Construction Projects in Western Part of Mumbai: Causes and Effects

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 823-836
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Cost Overrun ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Important Index ◽  
Litigation Cost ◽  
Causes Of Delays ◽  
Employment Sectors ◽  
Minimal Research

Construction is one of the most important employment sectors in India with very minimal research being done to identify the delay factors and causes that affect the construction Industry. The opinions of the construction professional required for the research was obtained by conduction interviews. A set of questions were circulated between the professionals working on the site to acquire the causes and effects of delays faced by them. To resolve the issues various studies and researches have been done by various researchers. The data analyzed in the research was done by using Relative Important Index (RII) which helpsto categories and rank the causes of delays according to the importance of the causes with respect to its contribution towards time delays, arbitration, litigation, cost overrun and total abandonment. Spearmen’s rank correlation coefficient was used compare the effect of delays between contractors, owners and consultants. In this paper, the research is aimed towards finding the effects of various causes on the various parties on construction sites of coastal parts of Mumbai and methods of minimization of the same.

Strategies for Engendering Health and Safety Culture in Construction Firms in Abuja, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jimoh R.A. ◽  
◽  
Oyewobi L.O. ◽  
Uthman N.L. ◽  
Ibrahim K. ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Safety Culture ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Varied Degree ◽  
Level Of Motivation ◽  
Construction Works ◽  
Civil Engineers

Many countries have put in place policies and legislation to reduce accidents and diseases on construction sites though having varied degree of comprehensiveness, the extent of implementation, will and capacity of enforcement. In spite of these efforts, it has been revealed that the increase in the rate of unsafe acts and rate of fatalities in the construction industry is significant due to poor safety culture. Hence, this study assessed the level of health and safety (H&S) culture in construction firms in Abuja by self-administering a total of 152 questionnaires on H&S issues to construction professionals. It included Builders, Quantity Surveyors, Architects, Civil Engineers, and Project Managers/supervisors who were involved in construction works. The data obtained were analysed using percentages and mean scores. It was discovered that despite the increasing growth in the construction firms in Nigeria, the H&S culture practice in construction firms is highly fragmented and poorly implemented. It is recommended among others that there should be high commitment from the top of organisations which will in turn produce higher level of motivation and commitment throughout the organisations.

scholarly journals EVIDENCE‐BASED PREVENTION OF WORK‐RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 499-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Romuald A. Rwamamara ◽  
Ove Lagerqvist ◽  
Thomas Olofsson ◽  
Bo M. Johansson ◽  
Kazys Algirdas Kaminskas
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Construction Workers ◽  
Musculoskeletal Health ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Work Related

Many construction work tasks are physically very strenuous and the incidence of work‐related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among construction workers is considerably higher than those in most other occupations. The aim of the study presented in this paper was to contribute to understanding a healthy construction site brought about by the best practices implemented by large construction sites to prevent WMSDs. A triangulation method made of interviews, site observations and studies on company's documents was used to identify the best practices in 13 several construction projects. A range of the best practices both in the pre‐construction and construction phases of the projects were identified in six different areas of the balance of the construction workplace system; however, there seems to be a significant need for good practices in the management of a systematic work environment. It is now established that Swedish construction industry has several best practices to protect work‐related musculoskeletal health. However, inadequate worker participation and the neglect of health and safety issues by designers in the planning process as well as the implications of some remuneration methods on the production schedule were perceived as detrimental to the musculoskeletal health of construction workers. Santrauka Daug statybos darbu yra fiziškai labai itempti, o su darbu susijusiu raumenu ir skeleto sistemos pažeidimu dažnis tarp statybininku yra kur kas aukštesnis negu tarp daugelio kitu profesiju. Šio tyrimo tikslas – pletoti supratima apie sveikatos būkle ir jos svarba dirbant statybu aikštelese, igyvendinant didelius statybos objektus, siekiant išvengti su darbu susijusiu raumenu ir skeleto sistemos pažeidimu. Tyrimams buvo taikytas interviu, pagristas trianguliacijos metodu, darbo procesu stebejimo statybos aikštelese metodas, buvo nagrineti statybos kompaniju dokumentai, siekiant identifikuoti 13 skirtingu statybos projektu. Geriausia praktika, prieš pradedant statybas ir jau statant, buvo nustatyta šešiuose skirtinguose statybu regionuose, tačiau tokia praktika yra svarbi darbo aplinkos vadyboje. Pripažinta, kad Švedijos statybos pramoneje taikomi keli būdai, kaip apsaugoti statybininkus nuo raumenu ir skeleto sistemos pažeidimu. Vis delto mažas darbininku domejimasis šia problema, sveikatos bei saugos problemu nepaisymas planavimo procese, kai kuriu atsilyginimo būdu itraukimas i gamybos veiksniu saraša buvo vertinti kaip faktoriai, žalingai veikiantys statybininku raumenu ir skeleto sistema.

scholarly journals Construction supervision during capital construction, reconstruction and re-profiling

2019 ◽  
Vol 265 ◽  
pp. 07022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dmitriy Topchiy ◽  
Alexey Yurgaytis ◽  
Evgeniy Babushkin ◽  
Diana Zueva
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Current Situation ◽  
Construction Process ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Supervision System ◽  
Construction Supervision ◽  
Capital Construction ◽  
The Relationship

This article raises problems related to the shortcomings in the existing field of construction supervision and the relationship between participants in the construction process. An article dedicated to the implementation of comprehensive and comprehensive construction supervision at capital construction sites, bringing the construction supervision system to a standard that minimized the customer’s risks and minimized the number of errors in the construction industry. The aim of the article is to find solutions and ways to resolve problems, because of which there are many qualities, as well as the timing of projects for investment and construction activities. On the basis of a statistical analysis of the current situation and world experience, the main proposals for the improvement of construction supervision systems are presented.

scholarly journals Exploring project managers’ perception of stress when working in increasingly complex construction projects

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 47-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Mary Jepson ◽  
Konstantinos Kirytopoulos ◽  
Kerry London
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
The South ◽  
Lack Of Control ◽  
Complex Construction ◽  
Planning Strategies ◽  
Life Projects

Stress is a recognised feature of the project managers’ life. Projects are becoming more complex with the uncertainty in the system contributing to the lack of control and added stress. This study explores a microcosm of 25 project managers in the South Australian construction industry, their perceived level of uncertainty and stress. The project managers interviewed provide their views on what their key stressors were and the mechanisms they use to manage effectively their stress. The results showed that structural, technical and directional complexity of projects was high, but this did not always convert into more stress for the project managers. The results indicate that stressors like the lack of resources; lack of control and increasing accountability were project managers’ primary concerns. Coping strategies included optimism, applying emotional intelligence and active planning strategies. In addition, they reduced their stress by working with good teams, using theirs and their team's experience, implementing sound systems and processes and effectively researching and gathering information.

Factors that Contribute to the Generation of Construction Waste at Sites

2010 ◽  
Vol 163-167 ◽  
pp. 4501-4507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siti Nazziera Mokhtar ◽  
Noor Zalina Mahmood ◽  
Che Rosmani Che Hassan ◽  
Ahmad Firman Masudi ◽  
Nik Meriam Sulaiman
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Human Error ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Technical Problem ◽  
Waste Minimization ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Construction Waste ◽  
Waste Index ◽  
Area Of Concern

Construction industry in Malaysia is growing rapidly with high demand due to vast development and urbanization. Therefore, many commercial and residential buildings are being developed. The increasing number of construction projects in Malaysia will indirectly contribute to the increase of construction waste generation. Thus, waste minimization is an important area of concern in the implementation of the construction waste management in the construction industry of Malaysia. Data collection and observations was conducted at three construction sites which adopt different type of method with different type of building and size of project in Klang Valley. The calculation of the construction waste index generated at these sites is adopted from Poon et al., (2001). Result showed that construction method, size of projects (GFA), type of building, storage method system, human error and technical problem can affect the amount of waste index (debris) and amount of wastage level generated at construction sites. Therefore waste index and wastage level can be used as operational an indicator for waste minimization of the construction activities.

scholarly journals Developing a Culture of Health and Safety on Construction Projects Framework in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (7) ◽  
pp. 1019-1022
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Nouban ◽  
Serah Onuh John
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Security Framework ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Health Security ◽  
Safety Practices ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Government Construction ◽  
Construction Works

Managing health and safety on construction sites has always been a challenging issue faced by the Nigerian construction industry. Safety conditions on the construction sites depends on type or nature of work to be carried out and the management make commitment to implement safety projects concerning construction. There are no requirements assigned for implementing a security management system by the Nigerian government. Construction industries lacked a framework to implement security regarding projects on construction sites. Developing a Safety Framework can help professionals involved in carrying out construction works, implement and improve safety practices in executing their projects on sites. This study presents the development of a structure for implementing an effective health security on construction sites. An extensive review of the literature was carried out to design an appropriate security framework. The results underscore the requirement for competent personnel who must be appointed to ensure safety on construction sites. Finally, a security framework was developed in which companies can accept and adhere. The results of this research will help Nigerian construction companies to improve safety on construction sites.

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