An assessment of material wastage reduction using continuous improvement method in Uganda 's construction industry

Abstract

Despite the fact that the construction industry is a major contributor for economic growth, it imposes adverse impacts to the environment and ecology. The extent of the scope of material wastage on construction sites is based mostly on surveys. The purpose of this research report is to report the results of an objectively investigated study on the material wastage reduction using Continuous Improvement Method in Uganda's Construction Industry. The study has four specific objectives namely: to identify the major causes of material wastage on building construction sites in Uganda, to examine the application of Continuous Improvement Technique in Uganda, to examine the relationship between Continuous Improvement Method and waste reduction in Uganda's Construction Industry, to propose a model of Continuous Improvement Method for Uganda's Construction Industry. The study employed a descriptive survey design where quantitative method of data collection and analysis was used. A total of 60 respondents participated in the study who were mainly site Engineers /supervisors and the foremen, data was collected and analyzed using Microsoft Office Excel. Frequency tables, percentages, charts and graphs were used for data presentations. Major finding revealed that, inadequate skills of workers, poor supervision, poor workmanship, re-work, theft and vandalism, improper packaging/stacking of materials were the most significant contributory factors to the cause of material wastage The research also identified water tops the list of most wasteful material with a mean score of 19.1, aggregate with a mean score of 17.8, sand with a mean score of 17.5, mortar with a mean score of 13. Proper off­ loading of materials, attentiveness on supervision, proper storage of materials on site, employment of skilled workmen, adoption of proper site management techniques, adherence to standardized dimension, mixing, transporting and placing concrete at the appropriate time, using appropriate construction equipment for handling were the most significant contributory factors to ways of minimizing material wastage. The researcher recommended that contractors have to perform a vital role in reducing the waste during the process of construction. This would be through employing good Continuous Improvement Method approaches for resource management, procurement policy, waste minimization, coordination and communications between parties, and control of the progress of the project.