22nd Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction - Oslo, Norway - 2014

Implementation of Lean Tools on Safety in Construction Projects in Palestine

Adnan Enshassi1 & Mohammed Abu Zaiter2

1Professor, Civil Department, Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza Strip, Palestine, [email protected]
2Projects Manager, Global Mercy, INGO, Gaza Strip, Palestine, [email protected]

Abstract

Lean construction approach is a set of tools that improve project performance by increasing project value and minimizing waste. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the implementation of lean tools in construction project and its impact on safety conditions in the Gaza Strip. The applicability of last planner, increased visualization and 5s process were investigated. A questionnaire survey was undertaken with contractors and clients in order to elicit their attitudes concerning the implementation of lean tools in construction projects. The results of this study indicated that most construction organizations are not interested in using new management techniques although they are interested in minimizing waste and maximizing projects value. The majority of the respondents indicated that there is a significant influence of implementing lean tools on safety in construction sites. The study indicated that there is a strong relationship between occurring accidents and bad visualization in the construction sites. It was found that there is a significant weakness in the learning environment in construction projects and there is very limited amount of knowledge about lean construction tools and other new safety techniques. Training will be a key aspect of implementation and success of the lean construction techniques to increase safety conditions at the site. This training may result in an increased burden in early stages of implementation but over the long haul, it will serve to increase the efficiency and safety level of construction companies. Lack of budget for training and lack of interest in safety training were some of the barriers in using lean construction tools.

Keywords

Lean construction, safety, last planner, 5s process, training.

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Reference

Enshassi, A. & Abu Zaiter, M. 2014. Implementation of Lean Tools on Safety in Construction Projects in Palestine, 22nd Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction , 1205-1218. doi.org/

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