Download - Ncp 22- nicmar
Course No.: PGPM 13/ NCP 22
Course title: Construction Personnel Management
Assignment No.: One
ASSIGNMENT ON
CONSTRUCTION PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
By
Shailendra Grover
Student Registration No. 212-07-31-10762-2141
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND
RESEARCH
Pune
(2012)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
Introduction………………………………………………………………………...1
2 Scope of Work......................................................................................…....2
3 Problems affecting work…………………………………………..…………….3
4 Reasons for Various Problems………………………………………………..31
4.1 Lack of manpower management………………………………………… .3
4.2 Sickness...............................................................................................31
4.3 Hazardous work…………………………………………………………....43
3.3 Quarrels……………………………………………………………………..54
4.4 Drinking……………………………………………………………………..5
5 Welfare amenities………………………………………………………………65
6 Remedies:...................................................................................................76
6.1 Good Manpower management or Planning………………………………7
6.2 Work in shifts……………………………………………………………...…76
6.3 First aid camp.......................................................................................86
6.4 Safety Department................................................................................97
6.5 Training.................................................................................................98
6.6 Periodic meetings..........................................................................10-118
6.7 Grievance handling system...............................................................1210
6.8 Meditation.............................................................................................12
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7. Suggested Methods for Hygiene factor and Motivation Factors…...……
13-14
8. Recommendation to management......................................................15-16
9. References...................................................................................................17
REMEDIES TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE OF A TUNNEL PROJECT
Project Name: -- Tunnel Project
Client: -- Govt of India
Location: -- Remote Hilly Area
ASSIGNMENT
You are a project manager on a site where work for 3 k.m. long Tunnel
has been undertaken. The site is remote and takes about 2 days travel to nearest
town. Supervisors, Technicians & skilled workers are engaged in dangerous /
hazardous work. Absenteeism due to sickness, quarrels, drinking are increasing.
Management has urged to do something so that time target can be achieved.
Discuss how will you tackle the problem and increase the output of the work.
1. INTRODUCTION
Tunneling is one of the most dangerous works in the field of construction.
It is been reported that around 18% of the total fatality in the field is caused by
tunneling. Thus it is clear that one has to be more cautious while executing a
tunneling process. The task here is to identify the measures one can adopt
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to increase the output of work taking the various problems into
consideration.
The main objective in this assignment is to put emphasis on the abilities of
a project manager to understand the problems of workers and come up with
solutions, the organization skills in setting up a new project in remote area,
motivation to the complete team and the ability to take the complete project team
ahead as a good leader. Project manager should know his duties &
responsibilities & have full knowledge of pros & cons of his decisions &
activities.
Thus the main objective of the project manager is not only to keep the
work progress going on but at the same time minimise the risk factors and create
a safe working condition.
2. SCOPE OF WORK
A personnel plan always revolves around personnel objectives of the
company such as viability, success, growth & social responsibility. Objectives
such as absenteeism, labour turnover, grievances, strikes, lockouts, etc can
be highlighted in a quantitative manner rather than a qualitative.
The project is to construct a tunnel of about 3km long. Thus the width of
the tunnel may vary upto 7.5m. The project should also be completed as soon as
possible. The site is located in a remote area so it is better to provide a good
communication system among the site personnel, so that they are able to call up
home as in most of the remote hilly areas mobile communication is still not
possible.
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It is also mentioned that it takes 2 days to travel to the nearest town
because of extremely poor road condition and hilly terrain so as a project manager
it is a must to provide necessary basic as well as the social needs for the men
working around the site. The atmospheric condition at the site is also extremely
cold and foggy.
3. PROBLEMS AFFECTING WORK
There are problems that are affecting the output of the company and
exceeding the project completion time. Problems are as follows:-
a) Lack of manpower Management/ Planning.
b) Sickness leading to absenteeism.
c) Exposure to hazards increasing risk to life.
d) Quarrels affecting work.
e) Drinking alcohol affecting work.
f) Lacking interest in the job leading to affect job quality.
4. REASONS OF VARIOUS PROBLEMS
4.1 Lack of Manpower Management (or) Planning
The absenteeism by the workers, slow progress of work can be attributed
to lack of manpower management and poor planning.
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4.2 Sickness
The working hours are exceeding overtime. Workers are forced to work
beyond their physical capacity. This is one of the reasons for sickness and
eventually leads to absenteeism. The workers are not getting immediate medical
assistance to solve their problems.
Food quality in canteen is deteriorating. The number of persons handling
the canteen is falling short to the demand. Very less number of members in
canteen team is leading to the unhygienic running of canteen. Clean drinking
water is not available for workers, and this is adding up to the problem of
sickness. In all, the workers are not getting hygienic conditions for living on site
and the work hours are exceeding the affordable limits.
The restrooms are not maintained clean. The maintenance team is falling
short in handling the disturbances. The number of persons in the team is very
less to catch up to the demand. The night shelters surrounding is dirty. This is
attracting mosquitoes and indicating new threats.. Workers and cleaners are
suffering from diseases like malaria, etc. As the site is located in remote area, it
is very difficult to take the infected to the hospital in the nearest town. The
technicians, supervisors and skilled workers are suffering from dust problem and
throat infections. The local insects and infections are adding up to the problem.
This problem is leading to the absenteeism, thus affecting progress of work.
4.3 Hazardous work
The technicians, supervisors and skilled workers are involved in
dangerous work of handling explosives and also the land slide problem is a
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threat to the cost of lives. The construction practice is tremendously exposed to
threats and worker safety is a big issue. No safety measures are taken and
workers are not practicing safe working style. There is no safety department on
site to handle the safety issues. There is not a single person who is allotted
responsibility of looking after safety issues. The workers don’t know how to deal
with the accidents. Immediate first aid is not available for accident victims.
Those who are handling explosives need training for safe handling of
those explosives. The quantity of explosives to be used for exploding lacks
accuracy. Each time the quantity of explosives is either falling short or exceeding
the required amount. Proper calculations are needed for the amount of
explosives to be used. The technicians need help of the qualified engineers.
Because the wrong amount of explosives is increasing the risk of land slides.
Rescue operations are increasing the tension to the workers. The numbers of
trial and errors are increasing in the explosions. This is increasing the time of job
as correcting the situation takes more time. The technicians are not maintaining
the excavators and other equipments thus leading to frequent breakdown of the
excavators and other equipments. The efficiency of the equipments is also
getting affected. Safety is not observed in case of equipment handling.
4.4 Quarrels
The workers are suffering from sickness. This is leading to absenteeism.
The performance is getting affected due to that. The project is lagging to catch up
to the schedule. Each department does not have a separate schedule so that
they can apply for their part of job. Schedule of one department is getting
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affected because other is lagging to do job on time. The result is that the overall
project is running behind the scheduled time. This is resulting in tension for the
engineers and they are blaming and forcing their juniors to do the job as fast as
they can. This leads to increase in mistakes which take even more time to get
corrected. This overall situation is creating increase in temper of the engineers.
The technicians are forced to complete the jobs fast and thus adding to their
irritation. Supervisors asked for completing milestones on time, hence they are
forcing the workers to work hard even more than their capacity. Supervisors are
failing to motivate the workers. The desired quality is not maintained because of
the frustration and grievances. The technicians and others are suffering because
of increased stress. Many people have complaints regarding food provided in the
canteen. Workers are blaming each other for the mistakes happening on site.
Workers are not communicating freely with the supervisors to express their
problems. Workers are suppressing their feelings and thus not concentrating on
the work. The communication between the supervisors and workers is not good
enough. Even the supervisors and engineers are not communicating to solve the
problems of workers. The problems are not reported to the managers on time.
Supervisors are not willing to listen to the workers. The job is not being explained
properly to the workers. Supervisors are blamed that they are not solving the
workers’ problems and this is creating problem in the engineer and supervisor
relations. In all, everybody is blaming others and nobody is improving his part of
behavior.
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4.5 Drinking
Workers are facing increased frustration and grievances. Also they are
living away from their families. The work is lacking quality and speed. Nothing is
going right. This is one of the reasons for drinking alcohol to such an extent that
is affecting the work progress. The low wages are adding up to the tension of the
workers. There are few workers who don’t care what happens but want alcohol.
Situation is increasing frustration among the workers.
5. WELFARE AMENITIES
The workers and other site persons are provided with amenities that are
mandatory requirement of the location. The workers are provided with rest
rooms, night shelters, canteen facility and the basic requirements i.e. latrines and
urinals. These are basic needs of the site people. The engineers, technicians and
supervisors are provided with accommodations and also the separate
arrangement is made for the higher authorities and managers those who visit site
frequently. The site people need water and electricity. The supply is falling short
for the demands. Vehicles are necessary for the necessary trips to the town. This
demand is not fulfilled.
6. REMEDIES
6 .1 Good Manpower Management (or) Planning
Prepare a proper schedule of the Project and assign resources to each task
i.e. each activity, assigning resources means identify manpower required for
each task and what is the availability of manpower and how much work has been
done till date and how much work is to be done. Identify Type of manpower
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required i.e. skilled or unskilled .If manpower is inadequate try to get more
manpower or try to use the available manpower fully so that maximum amount of
work to complete and try to complete the urgent works such that it does not affect
our project duration, reschedule the project and updated schedule to head office
and inform them about weekly work progress so that they can help us to
overcome the manpower problem (or) try to motivate the available manpower by
giving extra benefits if they complete the project in time (or) if manpower is very
less than required then immediately inform head office so that they can send
some more manpower so that the project can run smoothly.
6.2 Work in shifts
The workers are suffering from sickness. The main reason is long working
hours. This problem can be tackled by scheduling shift working. Divide the days
work in shifts and divide the number of workers and other site people in the
shifts. Limiting working hours will improve the working conditions for the workers.
Shift working will reduce the unwanted overtime of the workers. Working in
overtime reduces quality and speed. Hence if workers work in shifts they will
work with speed and enthusiasm. Thus the workers’ efficiency will increase. The
shift working will also help find the mistakes if any. Shift working is like batch
process, one batch of workers will come and do their job then another batch will
continue. Each batch of work will be documented. Also each batch of work can
be inspected by the engineers. The batch process is clearly explained by nature.
Production of milk in the cow is a continuous process but man collects milk in
batch process. Then one can say that this batch of milk lacks quality. That means
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there was some problem in fodder that cow ate after the previous batch of milk.
Same concept we can apply for our work. The problems can be identified easily.
Hence they can be solved properly.
6.3 First aid camp
First aid camp should be established on site. This will give immediate first
aid to the victims of accidents if any. Healthy is the team, healthy is the
organization. One doctor should be appointed on site with a helper. Separate
room should be provided for them. This will help in solving the problem of local
diseases that our workers and cleaners are facing. Help should be taken from
government if the insecticide treatment is to be given to clear the area from
diseases. Health of the team should be the prime concern of the organization.
Once the site surrounding is clear, the cleaners’ health problems will be solved.
This will reduce their absenteeism and thus the site accommodation will be
maintained clean and hygienic conditions will be established. Prevention is better
than cure. Hence, the root cause of sickness will be eliminated. “Sun down
Sleeve down” should be followed to reduce disease threat.
6.4 Safety Department
Separate safety department should be provided with Safety Manager
appointed for the project. He will be present on site till the project completion. His
job is to identify the threats and suggest remedies. Safety demonstrations should
be given to each person who is involved in the risky jobs. Safety kit is to be
provided for each person present on site. Safety department office will be well
equipped with fire extinguishers and other requirements. Detailed fire training
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should be given to the site persons. The workers should feel confidence in the
safety team. Safety manager will give time to time instructions regarding safety
and safe equipment handling. The safety manuals should be issued to the
technicians and supervisors. Supervisors should give instructions to the workers
with the help of safety manager. Workers should be explained that the safety is
of utmost importance.
6.5 Training
Proper training should be given to the engineers and technicians for
required tasks, if needed. Training should be given for the technicians for
handling the explosives with safety. Training should be given to the engineers
and they should work out the optimum quantity of explosives to be used each
time. This will reduce the mistakes in wrong judgments and the trail and errors
will be reduced. Thus the time required for correcting the job will be reduced.
Also the problem of landslides can be reduced. The safety manager will do time
to time checking of the possibility of landslides with the help of engineers.
6.6 Periodic meetings
The progress of the project should be periodically reviewed. For this,
periodic progress review meetings should be conducted. The meetings should be
categorized according to the levels and responsibilities. The project manager
should conduct meetings with the higher authority to discuss progress and
problems. Fund flow should be discussed. Requirement of new recruitments
should be discussed.
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The project manager will conduct meeting with engineers and other
managers. In this meeting, the project schedule should be discussed. New
schedule should be prepared for the jobs that are lagging and efforts should be
taken to meet the new schedule. Different schedules should be prepared for
each department and that should be followed accordingly. The smallest task
should also be considered while preparing schedule. This will help in keeping
watch on each and every task.
The technical problems should be discussed and solved in this meeting.
Safety should also be discussed in this meeting. Each and every department will
have to submit their progress report. Safety department will also have to present
their report regarding safety measures adopted, accidents and their investigation.
The problems in meeting up to the time schedule should be discussed and
concrete solution should be worked out. True reports should be presented so that
the problems can be identified and solved. Minutes of the meetings should be
noted that will help in keeping track on management work. The rules should be
made like alcohol consumption is not allowed on site. Entry of alcohol on site
should be checked.
The engineers and supervisors will conduct informal meetings to discuss
the progress of different tasks. The workers problems should also be discussed
in this meeting and all should collectively find solutions. The technical information
should be shared in this meeting and the engineers should explain the task to the
supervisors thoroughly. Once the supervisor has clearly understood the job then
only he can have the job done by workers. Technicians should also consult with
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engineers for the technical problems. The periodic maintenance of the
equipments should be done by technicians and checked by the engineers. Good
construction practice should be discussed between engineers, technicians and
supervisors.
The supervisors should explain the job to the workers clearly stating the
objectives of the job. The supervisors should also explain the procedure to the
workers. Once the objective is clear then the procedure will be followed
effectively. All doubts of the workers should be cleared in these informal
meetings. Thus proper communication chain should be established in between
project team. This will increase the speed and quality as the problems will be
discussed and solved.
6.7 Grievance handling system
The problem of quarrels is mainly due to misunderstanding and blaming
each other. Once the schedule of task and objectives are clear the problem of
confusion regarding job will be cleared. This will help in reducing mistakes. Thus
the irritation of the supervisors will be reduced. The increase in quality and speed
will solve the problems of engineers. Thus the quarrels between the engineers
and supervisors will be reduced to a greater extent.
The supervisors’ responsibility is to settle the grievances of workers. The
grievances should be settled at the lowest possible level. For this the supervisor
should listen to the workers. The big issues will be conveyed to the managers.
The proper grievance handling system should be established. This will bring the
grievances to the notice of managers and they can settle the problem. This
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system will serve as a medium for upward communication. It will serve as an
outlet for workers’ frustrations and discontents. This system will help the
managers to know the needs of the workers and hence they can modify their
plans so that smooth working environment will be established.
6.8 Meditation
Meditation is one of the methods for stress management. The site people
are facing tremendous stressful situation. The temper level can be reduced by
practicing meditation camps on site. This technique can be used to support other
remedies. Alcohol consumption will be reduced if not banned.
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7. SUGGESTED METHODS FOR HYGIENE FACTOR AND MOTIVATIONAL
FACTORS
The controllable reasons for absenteeism and turnover involve the ingredients
of the environment of a construction site. In addition, each ingredient is important
in its own right, quite apart from its effect on absenteeism and turnover. Careful
attention to planning, safety, hygiene, interpersonal relationships, and other
management fundamentals will not only reduce absenteeism and turnover, but
will have other positive effects on job costs and schedules.
A relatively small portion of the work force is causing most of the absenteeism
and turnover. This reinforces a conclusion that prompt management action with
respect to chronic offenders can be very effective. The persons who test
positively for the presence of drugs or alcohol from a category of individuals and
that being in this category is ground for labeling them as problematic. This type of
absenteeism should be dealt seriously.
Distance from a worker’s home to the jobsite seemed to have an effect on
turnover and absenteeism at a range of 50 to 100 miles. Though distance is
uncontrollable, the only way for this category of workers is to arrange for
transport or provide them accommodation near the site. Non-financial benefits
such as transport, meals, and uniforms have a high effect on labour productivity.
7.1 Motivation
Motivation is the effective key for good team. Workers should be satisfied
with the wages and other facilities provided to them then only they will work
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properly. Along with that if workers are motivated to do the job right the outcome
will be appreciable. It is said that “Confidence + Hard work = Success”. If workers
are working very hard and don’t have confidence in their job quality then the job
will get affected. The supervisors should motivate their team to do the job right. A
supervisor is a leader of the team of workers. He should develop enough
confidence in the workers. But motivation should follow a chain in the
organization. This will result in an organized motivation and then each small team
will feel like they are a part of big project team.
7.1.1 Motivation of Employees in Construction Project
Motivation is the driving force within individuals that drive them
physiologically and psychologically to pursue one or more goals to fulfill their
needs or expectations. Motivators may be intrinsic or extrinsic. An example of an
intrinsic motivator is the self-fulfillment of a worker as a result of performing a
task well. Some slogans should be developed for each team so that teams will be
motivated each time they slogan are sang. Reward system should be developed
to motivate the employees.
7.1.2 Motivation of labor in Construction Project
Construction labor can be motivated. This is important because dwindling
productivity is a major problem confronting construction today. Productivity has
decreased every year for the past decade, in part because of increasing design
complexity, more rigorous federal and state regulations and socio-economic
changes affecting the work force.
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8. RECOMMENDATION TO MANAGEMENT
(a) Tunnel project is a very large project it will take lot of time to complete the
whole project so management has to be well prepared of all the forecoming
situations i.e. labors problems, absenteeism etc.
(b) Good administration is essential for smooth execution of a Project; this
includes providing amenities to the workers & labours by providing suitable
accommodation, toilet facilities, clean drinking water & hygienic nutritious food,
dispensary facilities, ensuring safe working conditions for workers. Hence efforts
must be taken to improve water and electricity supply on site. There should be
periodic medical checkup for the workers so that the fitness of workers will be
maintained and work will not be affected because of absenteeism.
(c) Management has to determine the functions of each level of management
it should be clear for all the employees and management has to monitor such
that each employee is doing his duty properly are not.
(d) The number of employees working in canteen should be analyzed and
increased if found necessary. The supporting staff, like sweepers, etc. should be
maintained well in numbers.
(e) The management should arrange for periodic spraying of insecticides on
site. Thus threat of diseases will be reduced.
(f) Top Management should be more responsible and it should have to
properly monitor the progress of work and if any urgent needs at site should be
fulfilled as quickly as possible and it should see that the lower and middle
management is working properly are not.
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(g) Other things to increase output are maintaining good communication with
workers. Sense workers mood, understand their concern, provide feedback from
management, and prompt action to show that worker concern are heard.
(h) Use the latest behavioral – science techniques for organizational
effectiveness, including training supervisors in motivation and personal skills.
(j) Give incentives to the workers. Since money is the most effective
motivating tool for workers, declaration of cash awards for the best worker may
help increasing productivity to some extent.
(k) Motivation is essential to labour, as it gives site workers satisfaction such
as achievement, sense of responsibility and pleasure of the work itself. Keep
craftsmen informed of how their accomplishment compares with the jobs goals.
(l) Be creative in developing incentives for employees to stay with the job and
have good attendance. Emphasize attendance rather than absenteeism. Bumper
sticker, job poster, and helmet decals can be used to stimulate interest. Awards
to each individual after periods of perfect attendance by an entire crew can
develop peer pressure to improve attendance. Bonuses to people who remain
until job’s completed is helpful in reducing turnover during the critical final stage.
(m) Safety also has a main concern on productivity, ensure safety on site for
supervisors, technician and skilled workers those who are engaged in
dangerous/hazardous work by ensuring appropriate safety training for all site
staff and ensure that all staff are wearing and using the required clothing,
equipment and protective devices.
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9. REFERENCES
i. SODE NICMAR, Lesson Book “CONSTRUCTION PERSONNEL
MANAGEMENT”, NCP 22.
ii. S. Seetharaman, “CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT”,
Fourth Edition, Umesh Publications, 2007.
iii. Stephen P. Robbins & Mary Coulter, “MANAGEMENT” ninth edition,
Pearson- Prentice Hall Publication, 2007
iv. Management in organization by Koontz and Odoneal, McGraw Hill
publication.
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