Abstract:
Prefabricated concrete construction has been increasingly used in housing projects. However, quality of work is still a major concern. One of the reasons is due to the lacks of labor skills. The objective of this research is to study and classify the labor skills required for prefabricated concrete construction which may be similar to or different from those for conventional cast-in-place concrete construction. Seven projects of four companies building a detached house type, where prefabricated concrete bearing walls are applied, were investigated. A housing project using conventional construction method was also studied as a comparison project for labor skill required. The data collection from construction sited were carried out by employing the construction process observation, and supervisor and contractor interviews. Working processes as well as workers' assignments were captured and analyzed to introduce labor skills requirements for prefabricated concrete wall construction. Then the results were compared with the labor skills required in the conventional construction method as specified in the National Skills Standard, by the Department of Labor. The comparison showed many differences of labor skills required between the two methods of construction due to different working processes. Thus, in this research, the workers for the prefabricated concrete construction are called Precast Erector. The results also showed that an additional training is required for conventional construction workers if they want to work for prefabricated concrete construction project. For example, a gang of six workers is required for erection of precast concrete panels for a house, two workers, three precast erectors and a crane operator. The required skills are consists of construction drawing interpretations for process installation, hand signal communication for crane operation, installation sequencing skill for panels erection, and operation skill for special equipment and tools.