If you had the opportunity to improve safety and minimise risks on programmes of work through the pursuit of innovative new solutions and processes, what would you do?
For many programme managers, safety and risk mitigation starts and ends with strict adherence to agreed standards and systematic processes. Typically this includes the creation of thorough checklists, adherence to quality manuals and procurement processes, handover inspections, strict rules and guidelines and coordinating training programmes.
However, clients are increasingly acknowledging the value programme managers can bring to a project by taking a broader perspective.
Traditionally, programme managers apply innovation with the aim of shortening schedules and reducing delivery costs.
By thinking more broadly and looking to remove or minimise risks by going beyond accepted standards, clients can benefit in terms of long-term cost and risk considerations.
That could mean engaging everyone’s hearts and minds in planning and designing infrastructure or methods that are functional, useful and valuable to client organisations and stakeholders.
An important step in this process is to understand the technical and human dimensions of the problem. Consider for example, the need to eliminate harmful elements that could endanger employees and clients of a retail outlet or office space to be constructed. An appropriate and effective solution to this might be to design the space at the outset with that consideration in mind, rather than trying to find the best ways to minimise the risks once the space is occupied.
The application of innovation in addressing safety issues can be clearly illustrated by the following example of a recent project Sinclair Knight Merz was involved with for Shell.
The Telescopic Column Canopy
SKM works with Shell on their fuel retail facility network development programme in Asia. Working closely with the client, the SKM team has applied innovation to address safety issues during the construction of retail fuel stations, beyond setting behavioural and physical boundaries to ensure safety on site.
The construction work for retail fuel stations involves managing high-risk activities, one of which is termed “working at heights”, which relates primarily to the installation of fuel station canopies.
Shell were keen to find solutions that could reduce or eliminate risks related to working at height so working with SKM they developed a new canopy installation method and design.
A number of options were explored by the two parties. The most promising one was the possibility of using telescopic canopy columns which would enable the whole canopy to be assembled at less than 1.5 meters above ground. It would then be gradually jacked up like a telescope, using a harmonised hydraulic system to its final secured position, five metres up.
After prototype trials were conducted, the method proved to be feasible.
With the telescopic column, canopy installation work, including the installation of elements such as the roofing, the gutter system, the fascia stickers and the false ceiling, with down lights, could be completed easily at a much lower and safer height. Once completed, the assembled canopy would be lifted up to the required height and then bolted into place. The hydraulic jacks would then be removed. With Shell`s endorsement, full implementation was then carried out at a site called LP Sawani, in Gujarat state.
The Outcomes
The results from this particular innovation have been very encouraging; the total man hours required to work at height on canopy installations has been reduced by 95 per cent, almost eliminating the need to have workers exposed to risks associated with such work.
The telescopic column canopy has also reduced the critical path of a construction timeline of a site by seven to 10 days on average.
This innovation was the first of its kind in the global retail construction sector. There are plans underway to adopt the concept across the construction programme in Asia.
Programme managers, especially those like SKM operating across complex geographies and communities, have an obligation to function in a proactive and responsible way, which not only means taking note of and respecting local laws, customs and conditions in the countries in which we work, but also protecting and benefiting the people we interact with – the clients, staff, business partners and the wider community.
This means always looking after their safety, well-being and environment, and innovating to add value to the business goals that we’ve been tasked to pursue.
© Sinclair Knight Merz
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Who does this affect?
Construction programme managers; anyone interested in eliminating workplace risks
What do I need to do?
Understand how innovation can eliminate risks rather than just mitigate it, during project construction
Author: Sheldon Krahe
Sheldon is the Programme Director for SKM’s Shell Asia Retail Network Development Programme.
© Sinclair Knight Merz
Requests to re-publish achieve articles should be made here