Impacts of Lean Construction on Safety Systems: A System Dynamics Approach

Abstract

Lean construction has been viewed as an effective management approach for reducing the occurrence of no-value or destructive activities, such as wasting resources and safety-related accidents. However, few studies have systematically addressed how and to what extent lean construction practices influence construction safety. To bridge this gap, a conceptual model is developed and validated using a system dynamics approach. The construction system in this model comprises four sub-systems (i.e., environment system, equipment system, management system, and employee system). Data were collected from 448 projects in China. Simulations were conducted to determine the correlations between five types of lean tools and the four construction sub-systems. The results show that: (a) 5S management has significant positive impacts on the control of key locations and facilities at construction sites, and contributes to the mitigation of environmental impacts; (b) visual management can significantly improve safety compliance and safety management; (c) just-in-time management has significantly positive influences on the safety facilities layout and formulation of the safety plan; and (d) the Last Planner® System and conference management are effective in improving safety training and the implementation of the safety plan. These findings provide new insights into the use of lean construction for improving construction safety through the implementation of a targeted lean approach.

Construction Worker Risk-Taking Behavior Model with Individual and Organizational Factors

“…This result emphasizes the importance of workplace management in encouraging construction safety. This finding is in line with that of Wu et al [64], who found that an effective safety system for reducing the occurrence of construction accidents should include safety planning of environment and equipment. In practice, construction practitioners should pay attention to the provision of good work conditions for construction workers to work safely.…”

Effect of Occupational Health and Safety Training for Chinese Construction Workers Based on the CHAID Decision Tree

“…The latest research found that new construction equipment (such as GPS and physiological sensors) can improve the management level of occupational safety and health (39). Through the use of modern support technology, lean construction, safe construction, and management can be achieved (40)(41)(42). The world has paid great attention to OHS in the era of industry 4.0, which will bring about a new paradigm shift, which will have a profound impact on OHS management (43).…”

High fatalities risk found in gulf construction

“…The data related to the GCC construction industry, safety and health in construction particularly in the GCC region and methods to improve the safety performance in construction were collected using systematic literature review. A similar approach was also adopted by Wu et al, (2019) in their study related to the impacts of lean construction on safety systems. Different databases including Web of Science, Scopus, Proquest and Science Direct were used for the systematic review.…”