Influence of lean on safety risk exposure in modular homebuilding
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
1-1-2012
Abstract
The construction industry records the highest number of work-related injuries and fatalities in the United States according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Workers' exposure to risk may be affected by implementing Lean concepts. This paper describes the effects on worker's safety environment after a Kaizen event, a Lean tool, conducted in three workstations within a modular home manufacturer: base-framing, sheet-rock hanging, and painting. The effects of Lean on safety hazards at each of the three workstations were determined by conducting a Construction Job Safety Analysis (CJSA) before and after each Kaizen. Based on the CJSAs a questionnaire was developed to determine the workers' exposure to risk before and after each Kaizen. Then, 12 students with prior knowledge of safety and 4 certified safety experts completed the questionnaire by rating probability and severity of a list of hazards potentially present in each workstation. According to students, after implementing Lean, there was a significant reduction in the workers' exposure to risk in base-framing and sheet-rock hanging station; while, evaluation by safety experts showed significant difference in base-framing station. The study indicates that Lean can positively influence safety in construction for certain tasks.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
62nd IIE Annual Conference and Expo 2012
First Page
2300
Last Page
2306
Recommended Citation
James, J., Ikuma, L., Nahmens, I., & Aghazadeh, F. (2012). Influence of lean on safety risk exposure in modular homebuilding. 62nd IIE Annual Conference and Expo 2012, 2300-2306. Retrieved from https://repository.lsu.edu/mechanical_engineering_pubs/690
