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

Xiuyu Wu, Hongping Yuan, Ge Wang, Shuquan Li and Guangdong Wu
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Xiuyu Wu: School of Management Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Finance & Economics, Tianjin 300222, China
Hongping Yuan: School of Management, Guangzhou University, Guangdong 510006, China
Ge Wang: College of Public Administration, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Shuquan Li: School of Management Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Finance & Economics, Tianjin 300222, China
Guangdong Wu: Department of Construction Management, Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, Nanchang 330013, China

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 2, 1-16

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.

Keywords: lean construction; safety system; system dynamics; construction projects (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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