MAKING UP FOR LOST TIME

Inadequate utilisation of available working hours has been identified as a central cause of the UK construction industry's allegedly 'chronic' productivity problem. Various studies suggest that 60% utilisation would be exceptional. Half of that would not be unusual.

When men are standing around doing nothing, it is generally down to inadequate site supervision and to poor site organisation and planning.

Straight absenteeism, however, is another matter. And it can have a significant cost impact. The reasons may be related to industrial relations, health and safety, morale, or pay. On average, it is reckoned to account for a loss of as much as 5-15% of available work time.

As far as strikes are concerned, the figures are encouraging. Latest official figures from the Department of Employment record just four stoppages in construction in the year to last September. They added up to 2,000 working days lost - less than 0.5% of the number of days lost nationally. This compared with 128,000 days lost in 1989 (the year of the steel erector strike) or 17,000 days lost in 1988. Certainly, major sites now count on industrial disputes costing less than 1% of available work time.

The industry's health and safety record is less impressive. The cost of sickness and injury is unquantifiable. But its impact is significant. And the Health and Safety Executive observes that at least 90% of site accidents are avoidable.

In practice, some contractors are still offering attendance allowances to ensure operatives put in a full week's work. MACE's Ian MacPherson, however, puts the emphasis on creating the right climate.

He said: 'The efficient site with the minimum absenteeism is going to be a tidy, well-planned, and safe site. It will have proper toilet facilities and a clean, well-lit canteen with good food. Proper welfare provisions all add up to more efficient and more productive sites.'