Developing optimal scaffolding erection through the integration of lean and work posture analysis
Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management
ISSN: 0969-9988
Article publication date: 13 May 2020
Issue publication date: 8 October 2020
Abstract
Purpose
Facility structures in liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants require tremendous amounts of scaffolding to facilitate relevant industrial operation and maintenance. As such, the productivity of scaffolding operations in turnaround maintenance (TAM) has attracted much attention in recent years. In addition, health and safety issues have been recognised as a key contributor along with productivity improvement in the LNG industry. This study aims to integrate work posture analysis into value stream mapping to achieve an optimised and balanced improvement in both productivity and health and safety.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study approach is adopted to integrate lean and work posture analysis in a TAM site. The lean improvement is conducted through value stream mapping, and the work posture analysis is conducted through the Ovako Working Posture Analysis System method. A three-step optimisation strategy is then developed for achieving optimised performance in waste reduction and work posture improvement.
Findings
It is found that the implementation of value stream mapping can help eliminate waste in the installation process, therefore eliminating potential health and safety risks. However, health and safety of onsite workers does not always improve as lean implementation intensifies. There is an optimised erection schedule that has the lowest health and safety risk within a waste reduction target.
Originality/value
In contradiction to previous studies, which rely on qualitative assessment to identify the a positive correlation between lean and health and safety, this study reveals the distinct difference between lean attributes and health and safety attributes through a quantitative assessment and is more readily to be implemented at the site level for simultaneous improvement in lean and health and safety.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Australian Research Council DP180104026 LP180100222.Funding: Shanghai Economic and Information Commission special Fund Programs (Project No. Shanghai J-2018-27).
Citation
Wang, P., Wu, P., Wang, X., Chen, X. and Zhou, T. (2020), "Developing optimal scaffolding erection through the integration of lean and work posture analysis", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 27 No. 9, pp. 2109-2133. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-04-2019-0193
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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