An artificial intelligence approach for improving plant operator maintenance proficiency

Abstract

Construction plant maintenance practice and its plant operators are inextricably linked. This is because, unlike plant operating within the manufacturing sector, construction plant is largely dependent upon operator skill and competence to maintain the item in a safe, fully operational condition. Research has previously successfully modelled machine breakdown, but revealed that the operator’s impact upon machine breakdown rates can be considerable. A conceptual model methodology with which to assess the maintenance proficiency of individual plant operators is presented. Specifically, an artificial intelligent classification model is proposed as a means of classifying plant operator maintenance proficiency into one of three bandings. These are good, average and poor. The results of such work will form the basis of new prescriptive guidelines, for incorporation into the new certificate of training achievement (CTA) scheme, available to inexperienced construction plant operators. The paper concludes with an indication of the palpable benefits of such research, to plant owners and the construction industry at large.

Analysis of interrelationships among excavator productivity modifying factors

“…Using the earlier (qualified) thesis that operator competence (O c ) positively correlates with higher productivity of mechanised work per se, it follows that the more competent (a mix of qualification and experience; HSE, 2014) an excavator operator is, the more efficiently (i.e. productively) they can employ the machine and vice-versa (Edwards et al, 2002). This positive effect extends the boundaries of production and can also improve machinery maintenance and its safe operation .…”

Modeling the Influence of Technician Proficiency and Maintenance Strategies on Production System Performance

“…Besides, perfect maintenance will bring a machine back to HI = 1. Suppose the proficiency of maintenance technicians can be evaluated [1,2,9]. We defined a maintenance proficiency index , which implies the probability of the machine can be successfully recovered by one HI from the previous HI during a maintenance.…”

Heavy equipment management practices and problems in Thai highway contractors

“…Quality output can be partly achieved through skilful operators working with machines that are in good operational condition, thus educating equipment operators is one of the most important policies and thus holds great cost‐saving potential (Wireman, 1999). Better channels of training can be obtained from various sources such as dealers (Stewart, 1998) and external agencies (Edwards and Holt, 2002). Systematic record‐keeping is another practice that can generate valuable management guidelines, particularly in equipment planning and maintenance strategy (Marquez and Herguedas, 2004).…”

“…Procurement of major construction equipment not only costs as high as 36 per cent of the total construction project cost, but also causes a high delivery time uncertainty, which may disrupt the construction schedule (Yeo and Ning, 2006). In the operational phase, contractors are often faced with problems relating to high rate of equipment breakdown and accident resulting from unskilled operator abuse (Stewart, 2000; Edwards and Holt, 2002; Edwards and Nicholas, 2002). Poor training of equipment operators is often claimed as a major cause of equipment‐related accidents (Gann and Senkar, 1998).…”