Page 42 - OHS, September 2020

CONSTRUCTION SAFETY
location, is a system that involves a series of steps and is ideally aligned with the path of construction. In reality, extra steps are introduced because the supply chain and path of construction often fall out of sync throughout the course of the project. Each extra step introduces additional cost and delays the completion of the project. With real-time data, managers can keep an eye on both systems, monitoring each moving piece to identify misalignments before they happen. This allows management to prioritize and address the most important issues to keep the work-fronts moving on schedule with reduced additional cost.
Unused talent. Some interruptions result from reduced direct wrench time and keep workers from applying their talents, skills and knowledge efficiently. These interruptions are common to every project and include meetings, field coordination and unexpected issues that arise. Without data analytics, it is impossible to track, identify and mitigate recurring issues. With data analytics, management can track the root cause of an issue in real time as well as use information from current and past projects to identify upcoming issues, highlighting the work-fronts at risk of delays. This allows management to proactively mitigate issues interfering with field productivity and increase schedule confidence.
Motion. This LEAN principal aims to reduce travel times by optimizing the site layout to promote the availability of tools, materials and similar project support infrastructure. This impacts every single tradesperson on the work front. Traditionally, management did not have travel times on their radar as there was no way to capture that information. For example, these inefficiencies can include unnecessary trips to the tool shack or the permit office and long travel routes to and from the lunch trailers. They make the tradesperson’s job harder by taking them away from their specific task. While unavoidable, this reduces time-on-tools and introduces safety risks.
Data science works in tandem with project methodologies such as LEAN Construction to have a meaningful impact on waste and inefficiency. Construction and maintenance projects continue to become more complex, especially as companies are required to do more with much less. The global COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated this situation. LEAN Construction principles, combined with evidence through data, ultimately help to minimize these complexities and streamline operations to result in improved quality of work, worker engagement and return on investment.
Closing the Loop
Construction managers are responsible for an incredible
Connected technology and data science are key to successful large-scale construction and turnaround projects.
number of tasks and subtasks, all while trying to stay on schedule and keep the costs down. Inefficiencies impact every person on site. Reducing them allows everyone to do more of what they are good at, increasing productivity and job satisfaction. The feedback loop for identifying inefficiency, implementing safeguards and measuring improvement can traditionally be very long. In fact, realizing the efficacy of new processes can span multiple projects, making it even more difficult to understand true productivity gains. In many cases, it may be impossible, leaving management guessing and resulting in loss of confidence of workers doing the work.
Data science offers a much faster feedback loop that eliminates subjective opinions or guesswork. Grounded in evidence, real- time data allows construction managers to determine whether their productivity measures were effective in a matter of days and attribute increases in efficiency to a specific action. This process respects the teams in the field, ensuring their services are confidently generating more value. Data science equips construction and turnaround project managers with visibility into project bottlenecks, the agility to make real-time adjustments and the advantage of seeing immediate results. Interactive reporting shows time-on-tool for current projects and can be used as comparison for future projects to help set schedules, stay on track and develop workforce policies.
Connected technology and data science are key to successful large-scale construction and turnaround projects. It is one example of how digital transformation continues to reshape how companies operate, optimize performance and keep their people safe. It is what keeps a company competitive and ensures their operations are sustainable.
Igor Avlijas, P.Eng., works in Technical Sales for Blackline Vision. REFERENCES
1. https://www.forconstructionpros.com/business/business-services/ article/10692256/how-much-time-wasted-looking-for-stuff-costs- your-construction-company
38 Occupational Health & Safety | SEPTEMBER 2020
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