There is no doubt that computers are a boon to the construction world. Construction came of age when the first computer applications hit the project site. Computers assist in controlling everything. We use them for crane lift calculations and configurations, planning, scheduling and cost control. They house historical data, allow remote control of machinery and so much more. Today, lives are being protected by the use of drones and computer monitoring in everything from pipeline evaluations and unit inspections to confined space observations. The possibilities expanding technology offers are endless with unknown potential. It's all happening so rapidly that it's hard to keep pace.
The other side of the screen
It's the other side of the computer screen that can be troublesome. While computers become increasingly efficient, productivity does not keep pace. It's the human side of computerization that is responsible for lost productivity. Many people work "part time," although they receive full-time pay. Of a 10-hour day, my guess is that most employees will work about 60 percent of that time (and that may be a generous guess). We all need breaks and respites during the day, but some people take them to the extreme. One of the most talented safety professionals I ever employed was terminated because he was using the company computer to view pornography during "breaks." Another employee was dismissed for gaming online while supposedly "working."
At a project site, computers should be used for doing one's assignment. Some specialists may be on the screen 100 percent of the time, but I believe safety professionals should spend about 75 percent of their work hours in the field to observe work in progress, and the remainder of their time performing administrative functions as needed.
Smoke screen
I once worked in a corporate office as a safety director. I was managing dozens of safety professionals, medics and trainers, but my work was in different buildings, so I bounced between buildings all day long. I'd leave one building and make my way through the outside smoke pen where smokers gathered at all hours of the day. Then I'd make my way through another smoke pen to enter the other building, and then do the same thing on return. I knew some of the smokers because they worked near my office. Each took a 15-minute smoke break every hour, resulting in about a two-hour productivity loss per smoker per work day. Non-smokers did not get breaks.
What topped off the injustice was that the smokers were given time to make up their lost work; they received "after hours" overtime! They were rewarded premium pay as a benefit for bad health habits. It was approved because the bosses who permitted such behaviors were also smokers.
Funniest story
One of the funniest stories I've ever heard happened across town from my office. An AutoCAD (computer-aided design) engineer applied for work at a high-rise building. Two different engineering firms occupied the building: One firm was on the lower floors, and the second company was on the upper floors. This guy applied for positions at both companies and received offers from both, so he accepted both offers and went to work for both firms. His scheme was to work upstairs for a while, then take a break and go downstairs to work for a while. Because both companies were liberal with their breaks, he received two paychecks and kept up his hoodwink plan for several weeks. He finally got caught when he was going back upstairs. His boss for company A was on the elevator with him, but when the elevator stopped, his boss from company B stepped into the elevator. Needless to say, the guy was terminated from both jobs. But it did work for a while!
It takes discipline
To accomplish any goal, endeavor or task, one must be focused on the task and dedicated to getting the desired outcome and being accountable. It takes both self-discipline and teamwork. Those who play outside the rules can make it hard on all those who want to do it right. One needs to get from behind the screen and be present in the scene.
For more information, contact HASC by visiting www.hasc.com.
