Suggestions to Improve 'Manual Welding Efficiency' in terms of 'Welder Tool Time' for Developing Countries (Based On a Case Study: Iranian Petrochemical Projects)

摘要

“Manual Welding” is normally a major part of activities which constitutes to the expansion and productivity of construction industry. This research aims to identify and evaluate the factors impacting welder efficiency enhancement and can lead to construction productivity improvement. The “tool time” has been used as a yard stick to assess welder productive time and welding efficiency. A total of 162 samples in three working categories of piping, vessels and steel structures were chosen for study and evaluation. A series of work sampling studies by direct observation as well as continuous monitoring indicate that almost 35.5% of a typical welding day is taken away by non productive times. Approximately 50% of these non-tool times are spent on waiting and idle times. According to findings of this research, the most determinant factor in labour efficiency enhancement, in terms of tool time improvement, is motivation; although the sources of motivation are different. Other most influential factors on labour efficiency are: supervision, job-site management, nature of the work, local climate and weather, skill and experience of workforce, working hours per day, as well as job-site layout and condition.