No abstract

Purpose Non-value adding activities or wastes in the lean term have been the major challenge of the construction industry. Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate how such wastes can be reduced so as to improve the performance of the construction industry. However, the aspect of bricks production process (BPP) has not been extensively covered. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the application of lean manufacturing concepts in BPP with a view to identifying the various wastes in the practice, the causes of these wastes and how such wastes can be reduced. Design/methodology/approach Mixed methods research design was adopted by the researchers where literature review was first conducted to establish the fundamental theories and practice standards of lean manufacturing process. Thereafter, a phenomenological study was carried out in a Shelter Clay and Brick Factory located in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria. The data obtained in the phenomenological study were analyzed through content analysis. These data served as the basis for the validation survey that subsequently followed the phenomenological study. Findings The findings in the study show that poor or inadequate supervision is the main factor responsible for wastes such as excessive drying of bricks, overheating of bricks and re-glazing of bricks in Nigerian BPP. Research limitations/implications The study focused on the various wastes in Nigerian BPP. It also focused on the various lean tools/techniques that can be adopted to reduce the wastes. Aspects such as the percentage of the wastes and their cost implication on the factory were not covered during the study and could be further investigated by prospective researchers. Practical implications The study provides knowledge on how lean thinking can be adopted to reduce wastes in BPP. Such knowledge may be beneficial to the present and prospective bricks producers. This implies that the proposed framework in the study allows producers of bricks to identify gaps in their implementation efforts, focus attention on areas that may require improvements, and access the benefits of lean approach in their factory products. The proposed framework may also be beneficial to the academics. Originality/value This paper first gain originality in the study context to propose for a lean framework that can be adopted to reduce wastes in BPP. Furthermore, the paper has not been previously published and all the information obtained from other sources are duly referenced.

Purpose Non-value adding activities or waste have been a major challenge for the construction industry. Researchers worldwide have investigated how such activities can be reduced or overcome in the industry. However, much has not been done regarding waste in the production process of building blocks. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the various waste in sandcrete blocks production process (SBPP). The study also aims to find out the causes of the waste and their impacts on the factory performance. Design/methodology/approach To achieve the aims of this study, a qualitative study was conducted in five sandcrete blocks firms in Minna. Physical observation and interviews were the main instruments used for data collection. The data obtained were analyzed through content analysis. Samples of blocks (low standard only) were also taken to the laboratory for compressive and porosity tests. Thereafter, questionnaires were administered to other sandcrete blocks producers in six firms. The essence of this was to investigate the applicability of the identified waste in other factories in the study context and for further data analysis. Findings Typical forms of waste in SBPP are excessive stocking of sand and cement, long distance covered from the store to the mixing or production location, excessive quantity or over design of materials and over vibration or compaction of the newly produced blocks. It is anticipated that adoption of lean concepts, tools and techniques in the production of sandcrete blocks will help to eradicate the identified waste in the process and stimulate a future state value stream mapping (VSM). The practicality of the expected future state VSM is presently being investigated by one of the five firms in the study context. Research limitations/implications The findings of the study mainly provide further insights on the various process waste in Nigerian sandcrete blocks production. Practical implications The study provides knowledge on how lean thinking can be adopted to identify and reduce waste in SBPP. Such knowledge may be beneficial to the present and prospective sandcrete blocks producers. The study also provides insight on how the overall cost of production of sandcrete blocks and the quantity of CO2 that is being released into the atmosphere in the production process can be reduced. The VSM in the proposed framework also serves as a tool that can be globally adopted for waste identification by producers of other forms of blocks such as bricks. Originality/value This paper satisfies all the tenets of originality as it has not been previously published and all the information obtained from other studies have been duly referenced. The study is also original as it is first in the study context to propose for a lean framework that can be used to reduce waste in SBPP.

Despite efforts to enhance health and safety (H&S) practices, construction workers' practices in relation to formwork and false work usage has been noted as a leading source of injuries and accidents in South Africa. This paper reports on an exploratory research that is aimed at reducing formwork and false work hazards occurrence on construction sites in South Africa. The study obtains primary data from construction participants in Bloemfontein, South Africa. The data were obtained by interviewing management on selected construction projects, and physically observing activities on visited sites. The results show that poor practices concerning formwork and false work contribute to the collapse of structural elements, such as slabs. The hazards related to formwork and false work leads to severe injuries among affected workers, apart from the damage to private and public properties. Such accidents include slips and falls on project sites. Further, the research shows that the delivery, storage, handling (loading and unloading) of formwork and false work are major activities that contribute to site accidents. The findings suggest that practices concerning the use of formwork and false work should be monitored as compliance to construction regulations and adequate planning of temporary elements would avert accidents.

No abstract