Ikuma, L H; Nahmens, I and James, J (2011) Use of safety and lean integrated kaizen to improve performance in modular homebuilding. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 137(7), pp. 551-560. ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
The two biggest challenges in the construction industry, low productivity and high injury rates, may be addressed simultaneously through the combination of lean production strategies and traditional safety-analysis tools. This case study used Safety and Lean Integrated Kaizen (SLIK) in a modular housing manufacturing facility by applying one lean production tool, kaizen, and a safety-analysis tool, job safety analysis (JSA). The research team used SLIK with the base-framing crew, and the method consisted of analyzing the current process, determining and implementing process improvements, and analyzing the improved process. The changes resulted in a 16% increase in value-added activities and increased the framing crew's overall output by 55%. By making quick, low-cost changes that were intended to improve productivity to the station layout and work design, safety and ergonomic hazards, including reduced trip hazards, pinch points, and back strain, were also reduced or eliminated. These results support the hypothesis that productivity and safety can be improved simultaneously through combined lean and safety tools.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction management; lean construction; occupational safety; productivity; residential buildings |
| Index terms: | lean construction, process improvement, injury, strategy, framing, lean production, residential building, case study, productivity, modular housing, occupational safety, construction industry |
| Subjects: | conceptual models, data collection methods, construction type, industry analysis, building construction, health conditions and diseases, occupational health and safety management, manufacturing engineering, management, economic development |
| Topics: | Site Management, Urban Studies, Construction Technology, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Health and Safety, Business Strategy |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here