Construction Industry efficiency has increased following COVID according to latest study
Sep 23, 2020
A new study has been conducted by Loughborough University, published by a group of construction industry companies including Morgan Sindall, Kier, Balfour Beatty and Skanska, which indicates that productivity in the construction industry has in fact increased as a result of practices put in place due to Covid-19.
The study examined the overall impact that Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdown period has had on the construction industry in 2020. With concerns earlier this year over possible site closures and product shortages (owing to manufacturing issues and delays) it was anticipated that disruptions would be considerable however, with the majority of sites reopened and new Site Operating Guidelines in place, this simply hasn’t been the case.
With new guidelines designed to protect the safety and wellbeing of staff as the number one priority they also provided an opportunity for important projects to continue during a particularly challenging period.
Some of the Site Operating Guidelines that have been shown to increase productivity on site include:
- More detailed planning
- Reduced waiting time between tasks
- Less overlap of trades due to more space
- Increased use of technology
- Less meetings
- More responsibility for individuals
With many of the new working practices implemented on a permanent basis already, there’s no doubt that they will have an impact on the industry going forward.
Russell Adfield, the Health and Safety Executive’s head of construction sector and policy, said: “This industry-led report highlights the significance of having Construction, Design and Management regulations (CDM 2015) – to ensure effective communication, co-operation and co-ordination of workplace practices to both protect workers from risk and allow projects to advance, even in the most difficult of times.
“Involving workers and the supply chain in planning and designing the work is an essential component in developing trust and achieving positive behaviour which will ensure the industry continues to play a critical role in stimulating the economy as we respond to Covid-19.”
“With health, safety and wellbeing at the heart of what all companies do, it is clear that the learnings from Covid-19 should extend beyond the lockdown period and shape the whole industry for the better.”