Chapter 7 Quality, Productivity, Safety

Question 1

True or false: Lumber grade and compressive strength are not usually mentioned in a contract

Answer 1

False. The contract normally would specify these items

Question 2

Explain what a high-quality contractor means in a construction project

Answer 2

Quality is also about finishing projects:
1) On time
2) Safely
3) Within Budget
4) Without claims and litigation

Question 3

What is Quality assurance (QA)?

Answer 3

It refers to the management systems employed by construction companies to produce high-quality work consistently. It is executed by making up good management practices.

Question 4

What is Quality control (QC)?

Answer 4

It is the inspection of work to ensure it meets the quality standards specified in the contract. It is executed by inspection or sampling process

Question 5

What is the productivity formula?

Answer 5

Productivity = Units of output/worker-hr

Question 6

How do we study productivity?

Answer 6

1) Work sampling: Prudtive direct/support/non-productive work
2) Motion studies - the best way to accomplish the task
3) Time studies - How long does it take to finish a task

Question 7

What is the Hawthorne effect?

Answer 7

It is one of the issues with productivity studies is how to eliminate the effect of being watched

Question 8

What is EMR? What it is based on? What is the formula

Answer 8

Experience Modification Rate (EMR) - The cost of insurance premiums is directly related to it
Loss ratio = Claims ($)/ Premium payments ($)
EMR is based on:
1) The claims history of the employer
2) Recent trends
3) The frequency and severity of injuries
4) Highly influenced by many low-severity injuries
* The lower your EMR, the better

Question 9

What are the 4 necessary elements to establish any safety program?

Answer 9

1. Responsibility and authority
2. Procedures and rules
3. Communication and training
4. Assessments and inspection

Question 10

What reasons can cause an investigation in worksites

Answer 10

Goes by inspection priorities:

1. Imminent Danger
2. Fatality & Catastrophe
3. Complaints
4. Non-formal Complaints/random

Question 11

What are the four main components of any construction safety inspection?

Answer 11

1. Opening Conference
2. Tour
3. Closing Conference
4. Citations

Question 12

How many citations there are? what are they?

Answer 12

There are 5 citations

1. Non-serious
2. Serious
3. Repeated violation
4. Willful violation
5. Failure to abate

Question 13

What are the 5 causes of accidents in a simple causation model?

Answer 13

Task, material, environment, personnel, management