Lean-based clean earthworks operation

Abstract

Earthworks operation occupies only a short period of the total project duration but comes with a high cost, mainly due to the use of heavy machineries and skilled operators. Regardless of the short duration, negative effect of the operation on the environment is detrimental, especially from the perspective of site sediment pollution. However, the current body of knowledge lacks improvement strategies that could enable simultaneous enhancement of the production and environmental factors during the operation period. Due to that, this study aims to seamlessly improve the production (time and cost) and environmental (site sediment pollution) variables by applying the concept of lean production towards achieving a cleaner earthworks operation. As a result, a lean based methodology has been proposed by using case study approach that combines different data collection methods (interview, observation, site document). Findings of the study suggest that lean enables clean. Positive improvements have been observed in terms of time and cost reduction by 42.7% and 24.9% respectively. The environmental factor, Rainfall Erosivity is reduced by 41.8%, consequently reducing the risk of soil erosion and sediment production. Ultimately, the proposed methodology could seamlessly improve both dimensions of production and environment at its source, which satisfies the aim for cleaner earthworks operation.