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Look Again
After
nearly 30 years using statistical work sampling and analysis
on industrial construction projects, I am amazed to read about
"huge" construction productivity improvements, as
in your article "Accurate Measures Are Elusive"
(ENR 5/12 p. 10). The CERF conference presenters offer no
credible data to refute [Paul] Teicholz’s graph of construction
industry productivity falling behind the U.S. economy. Note
that the article’s BLS data show that "multifactor
productivity" has been nearly flat for over a decade.
But, even if not "accurate"
enough to some, the data show clearly that the industry is
behind the curve. The problem is not "elusive measures"
but, "elusive management"–both owner and constructors–oblivious
to their outmoded industry practices and field work processes.
For companies with vision this merely presents a great opportunity
to take advantage of improving productivity and profitability.
Change Safety Practices
After
reading your editorial, "Work Zone Fatalities Are Appalling
and Out of Control" (ENR 4/14 p. 68), it is obvious that
any loss of life is tragic and all possible steps should be
taken to avoid tragedy. As a construction supervisor who drives
35,000-plus miles per year, my personal observations, along
with your statistics, tell me that much of the problem is
with traffic control by crews doing the work.
Confusing lane markings cause traffic
to flow into the wrong direction. Flagmen signaling traffic
in perpendicular directions at the same time signal people
stepping into 40-mph traffic to allow a truck out of work
site. These are a few of the things that I have witnessed.
The fact that you indicate that
80% of fatalities are motorists further says the industry
needs to improve traffic control and driver cooperation. Many
people drive through a construction site daily and become
familiar with the traffic flow. Many others pass through only
once and are not familiar with the road, let alone reconfigured
lanes due to construction. Performing work in off-peak traffic
hours might help. Smaller, more concentrated work zones might
also help. Better lane markings and better training for traffic
control people are two more positive things that can be done.
Lastly, an attitude that workers
have the right of way needs to be changed. Motorists are the
reason that money is spent on roads. While no one is right
in an accident that could have been prevented by either party,
the construction crews are working for the motorists on the
motorists’ property. Treat the motorists like friends
and my guess is most will reciprocate.
Contractors still
don’t get the message about work zone safety. At a highway
job 15 miles from our office, crews are running across freeway
traffic at the beginning and end of their shift. Work is going
on between the traffic lanes. The contractor has made no provision
for crews to access the work safely so they run across live
traffic lanes to get to work. Last month, a member of a striping
crew was hit and killed by a driver not paying attention.
The highway patrol standing by
on the jobsites helped workers for a while until the public
got used to them. I like the idea of putting undercover police
with radar on jobs to keep traffic under control.
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