IGLC 27 · Dublin, Ireland · 2019

Using Standardized Work to Prevent Construction Accidents

  1. Lecturer, Department of Built Environment, Central University of Technology, Free State, Private Bag X20539, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa, Tel: (051) 507 3523, Email: lmollo@cut.ac.za.
  2. Professor and Head, Department of Built Environment, Central University of Technology, Free State, Private Bag X20539, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa, Tel: (051) 507 3089, Email: femuze@cut.ac.za.; Research Associate: Nelson Mandela University
  3. Professor, Department of Construction Management, Nelson Mandela University, Po Box 77000, Port Elizabeth, 6031, South Africa, Tel: (041) 504 2790 / 551. Email: John.Smallwood@mandela.ac.za.

https://doi.org/10.24928/2019/0117

Abstract

The work done on construction sites is high risk, unsafe and could result in work-related accidents. The effect of accidents often impacts the social and economic integrity of the workers and their productivity negatively. The reported study in this paper investigated ‘how standardized work prevents accidents on construction sites?’ A single case research design was used to collect the primary data through semi-structured interviews and focus group interviews. The collected data were analyzed thematically. From the findings, it was discovered that improper working conditions related to scaffolds often causes accidents on construction sites. In effect, the use of standardized work would help to eradicate improper working conditions that lead to accidents because it helps project supervisors/engineers to avoid errors and omissions. For standardized work to be successful, the project supervisors should actively address the behavioral problems of the workers. Therefore, it is recommended that there is a need to conduct further research that would establish the strength of the standardized work in improving health, safety and well-being (HSW) of people in the construction.

Keywords

  • Accidents
  • construction
  • health
  • safety and wellbeing
  • standardized work

Cite this paper

APA 7th edition

Mollo, L., Emuze, F., & Smallwood, J. (2019). Using Standardized Work to Prevent Construction Accidents. In Proc. 27th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC) (pp. 1059–1068). https://doi.org/10.24928/2019/0117

Shortened reference for IGLC papers

Mollo, L., Emuze, F., & Smallwood, J. (2019). Using Standardized Work to Prevent Construction Accidents. IGLC27. https://doi.org/10.24928/2019/0117