Impact of Construction Productivity Factors on Wall Tiling Labour Output in Abuja and Kaduna, Nigeria

Abstract

Productivity is one of the important elements in construction planning and scheduling. However, construction industries in Nigeria are currently lacking in data with regard to productivity of the building’s construction activities especially in tiling works. The focus of the study was to use work study approach to empirically establish relationship between the influential factors and productivity in wall tiles labour output in Nigeria Construction Company. A total of 46 gang sizes of tillers for wall tiles 400mm x 300mm x 5mm, width > 300mm long side horizontal, 32 gang sizes of tillers for wall skirting 400mm
x 50mm high and Riser 400mm x 150mm high were observed within Kaduna state and Abuja. Physical observations and measurement of work outputs were conducted through work study approach. The difference in mean labour outputs of two groups and multiple groups was tested using independent t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) respectively. The mode of employment of tradesmen observed had a significant effect on the output for wall tiling 400mm X 300mm X 5mm, plain width >300mm, tiles with long side horizontal with backing. Those on daily paid term produced more on site in their outputs. Regarding the labour output for Wall Skirting, 400mm X 50mm High, Ceramic Tile 5mm Thick, the weather condition significantly affected the output. The study recommends that stakeholders in the construction industry
should consider the use of daily paid workers for wall tilting on building sites to enhance project performance.