KONE SiteFlow
10 practical steps to manage construction site logistics to be efficient and effective
Construction site logistics can be complex and challenging in the fast-paced world of construction, juggling multiple tasks, resources, and safety concerns. However, mastering these logistics can significantly streamline operations, enhance productivity and improve safety at the construction site.
10 practical know-hows to manage construction site logistics to finish ahead of schedule:
1. Set the ideal capacity for your construction elevator in advance
Establish a clear routine on your construction site to organize the movement of people and materials. Use buck hoists—also known as construction hoists or material lifts—for transporting heavy materials. At the same time, interior elevators, often referred to as construction time elevators, can be used for safer transportation of workers, tools, and smaller equipment. This approach enhances efficiency and safety in vertical construction logistics by minimizing bottlenecks and delays.
Elevators are often a bottleneck on construction sites. However, there may be unused capacity that simply needs to be made visible and managed effectively. If you feel your lifting capacity is insufficient, contact us—we have tools to help you optimize and prioritize your site’s lifting capacity.
2. Be smart in material positioning so it is easily accessible
Place temporary materials near the construction elevator to prevent things from piling-up and getting in the way of your people. Plan the route of every transfer ahead to avoid overlaps, delays, congestion, mishandling, and to not overwhelm the construction elevator capacity. Additionally, ensure that tools like pallet trucks are readily available and easy to locate when needed.
3. Make the most of construction elevator usage
Prioritize essential floors for elevator access, reducing wait times and optimizing productivity. Implementing floor locks during nighttime or critical work phases streamlines operations, reducing unnecessary stops and enhancing overall efficiency in construction traffic management. Additionally, nominate different elevators to serve different floors to shorten waiting times and keep the people and material movement efficient.
4. Coordinate better with workers
Delegate tasks to workers systematically and consistently using a tool that can be accessed easily, for example through the smartphone. This prevents confusion, mistakes, extra wastes, and need for rework.
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5. Streamline waste management
Schedule waste management to less busy hours during construction and handle it with the elevators every day. This will prevent waste accumulation that can disrupt movement of people and goods on site. Remember that all material on site increases fire load unnecessarily.
Save time and maintain a clean and organized environment at the construction site by locating designated trash bins with a Tool Finder. KONE SiteFlow Tool finder is not currently in production but it has been tested on different construction sites.
6. Communicate announcements in common areas
Put signs, posters, infographics, and announcements in common areas such as the construction site entrance, locker room, cafeteria, and even the toilet to share important and relevant messages. To maximise the information sharing, utilize digital displays to share information about available tools and elevator statuses in real-time.
7. Plan for extreme weather conditions
Expect terrible weather and prepare for it by waterproofing shafts, and other areas that are prone to water damage.
External hoists are particularly susceptible to excessive rainfall and wind. Make sure there is another construction elevator available in case external hoists are out of order.
8. Plan for a worst-case scenario
Think of the worst things which could happen in your construction site when it comes to safety, waterproofing, construction elevator capacity, and waste management and already list possible solutions so that if any of it does happen, you won't decide from a space of panic, but rather, have a pre-planned list of references ready for a decision.
9. Prioritize safety procedure
Orient workers immediately on safety protocol. Assign a safety officer to make sure that everyone is following procedure consistently on site. Remember that no construction is worth of a several injury.
10. Leverage digital tools efficiently
Test construction digital solutions like KONE SiteFlow which is proven to significantly increase productivity by improving day-to-day operations with features like Floor Lock, Priority Call for construction elevators, and site performance Analytics.
By implementing these steps, you can effectively manage your construction site to finish on top of schedule with no or little need for correction, manage waste better, as well as ensure safety and improve worker satisfaction in your site.
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