adding bodies to confined spaces will only serve to impede
productivity. The good news is that new rules may prohibit
placing more people in an area. Trade contractors will rejoice
knowing they will not have to work on top of every other
trade simultaneously.
Detriment: Spacing (Part 2)
In some cases, these bodies were needed to accomplish a
task. For instance, it is likely that individuals may have to
work in close proximity because the task requires it (i.e.,
installing a window, placing a lintel, tying rebar, etc.). New
rules may require new methods and means to accomplish
said goal. Additionally, as different trades occupy a space,
general contractors and owners may not allow crew stacking,
even if it isn’t of the “overload” variety. This may require longer
durations for specific activities, which should be reflected
in estimates and budgets.
As an aside, there is another interesting cost impact that
is probably not considered: transportation of the crews. In
many markets, carpooling is normal and allows employees
P R O D U C T I V I T Y
/ Hour
/ Day
some cost savings. In a COVID-19 world, some organizations
are limiting group transportation, thus increasing costs for
either the employee solely or increasing the project cost profile
in the form of additional fuel expenses. Even if the dollar
impact is small, there is some impact to the project.
Detriment: Cleaning time (Part 1)
Personal hygiene is not limited to washing one’s hands.
Cleaning tools and work areas will take time, whether at the
beginning of a shift or at the end. While some time probably
should be allocated for preventive maintenance, new rules
may dictate a less than optimal use of a 40-hour work week.
Detriment: Cleaning time (Part 2)
Cleaning may not be limited to tools. It is likely that materials
that arrive on job sites may require a certain level of
cleanliness not normally seen. Obviously, a greenfield project
may have a final cleaning phase that will provide a certain
level of closure for customers. However, consider an electrical
contractor working on a renovation of an active medical
With social
distancing in
effect, crew
sizes will be
limited (i.e., fi veperson
crew to a
four-person
crew)
With a
movement
toward
paperless, fi rms
will see gains in
operational
productivity
With social
distancing rules,
communication
will have to be
targeted and
direct, limiting
time away from
jobs (i.e.,wasted
meetings)
What new
innovative tools
and equipment
will aid
production?
What will the
loss of
productivity be
as it relates to
cleaning
materials that
come on-site?
Crew stacking
will be a limiting
factor, reducing
area over
population
While adjacent
trades may be
limited, will
output be
negatively
affected?
How will the
loss of time due
to cleaning
equipment and
tools at the
beginning and
end of a
shift affect
productivity?
Technology Leverage Crew Sizing
(Part 1)
Spacing (Part 1)
Technology Leverage
(Part 2)
Spacing (Part 2)
Technology Leverage
(Part 3)
Cleaning Tools
Impact
Cleaning Materials
Impact
One mistake that should not be made is the belief that job site productivity
will remain static. However, there are probably misconceptions about
productivity and some of these changes may, in fact, have a silver lining.
ALBERTA HEAVY Quarter 1 2021 37