Investigating labour productivity of steel fixers on high rise buildings in Kampala

Abstract

This study investigates labour output of steel fixers in cutting and bending, tying and placing of steel bars in structural elements such as beams, columns, stairs and slabs on high rise buildings in Kampala city. The main aim of the study was to aid the investigation of labour output of steel fixers and to provide information for planning and schedule of work. Data was collected from five (5) construction sites through work study and activity sampling. The investigation reveals that a proficient steel fixer, averagely motivated is capable of cutting and bending one tonne of steel using simple hand tools for beams, columns, stairs and floor slabs in 41.53 hours, 21.34 hours, 26.95 hours and 27.59 hours respectively. The steel fixer is also capable of tying one tonne of steel rods into the same structural elements aforementioned in71.00hours, 36.17 hours, 26.21 hours and 45.88 hours respectively. Furthermore, steel fixers use 71% of their working time effectively while 29% of same is used ineffectively. It is recommended that labour output obtained in this study be adapted as local substitute for the British Standard labour rate currently in use.