Job Assignments to Construction Workers: Accounting for the Brain Resource Requirements of Activities

Research output: Contribution to book/Conference proceedings/Anthology/ReportConference contributionContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • F. F. Alireza Ahmadian - , University of New South Wales (Author)
  • Ali Akbarnezhad - , University of New South Wales (Author)
  • Taha H. Rashidi - , University of New South Wales (Author)
  • S. Travis Waller - , University of New South Wales (Author)

Abstract

Assignment of jobs to a construction crew is not a trivial task. The optimal job allocation should consider the characteristics of workers as well as brain resource requirements of the job. Failure in proper allocation of jobs to workers can lead to an inconsistent workload distribution among workers which can then results in a decrease in the overall productivity. The inconsistency in the workload of workers can cause imbalanced fatigue rates and skill level stagnation particularly for workers who are less involved. This paper proposes a framework for regulating job allocation to workers by accounting for workloads and characteristics of worker. Workloads are attributed to visual, auditory, cognitive, and psychomotor brain resource requirements of different tasks. To achieve a realistic assignment of jobs, the framework incorporates workers' capabilities in terms of skill type and skill level. Workforce management strategies established by a contractor, including safety improvement, skill enhancement, and multiskilling, determine approaches toward minimizing workers' workload variance within a crew. Application of the proposed framework is demonstrated using a real case concreting project with a simple trial modification in task assignment process under "safety improvement" strategy.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationConstruction Research Congress 2016
EditorsJose L. Perdomo-Rivera, Carla Lopez del Puerto, Antonio Gonzalez-Quevedo, Francisco Maldonado-Fortunet, Omar I. Molina-Bas
PublisherAmerican Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Pages1897-1906
Number of pages10
ISBN (electronic)9780784479827
Publication statusPublished - 2016
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

SeriesConstruction research Congress (CRC)

Conference

TitleConstruction Research Congress 2016: Old and New Construction Technologies Converge in Historic San Juan, CRC 2016
Duration31 May - 2 June 2016
CitySan Juan
CountryPuerto Rico

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0002-2939-2090/work/141543899