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Labour Output of Steel Fixers in Selected Building Construction Sites In

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©Journal of Applied Sciences & Environmental Sustainability 1 (1): 54-61, 2013

Research Article

Labour Output of Steel Fixers in Selected Building Construction Sites In

Oko John Ameh
Department of Building, University of Lagos, Nigeria

ARTICLE INFO Abstract

Article history
Received: 10/11/2012
Accepted: 31/01/2013
Keywords:
Building construction, Labour
output, Steel fixers, work
study, Nigeria;
This study investigates labour output of steel fixers in in-situ concrete storey
building construction on selected sites in Lagos state. The main aim of the
study is to aid the estimation of labour cost of steel works in reinforced
concrete construction and to provide information for planning and schedule of
work. Data were collected from twenty (20) construction sites through work
study and activity sampling. The investigation reveals that a proficient steel
fixer, averagely motivated is capable of cutting and bending one tonne of steel
using simple hand tools for beams, columns, stairs and floor slabs in 41.58
hours, 24.10 hours, 25.06 hours and 27.05 hours respectively. He is also
capable of tying one tonne of steel rods into the same structural elements
aforementioned in 67.70 hours, 35.20 hours, 25.10 hours and 45.60 hours
respectively. Furthermore, steel fixers use 75.1% of their working time
effectively while 24.9% of same is used ineffectively. It is recommended that
labour output obtained in this study be adapted as local substitute for the
British Standard labour rate currently in use.

© Journal of Applied Sciences & Environmental Sustainability. All rights reserved.

1. Background of the Study

Productivity is commonly defined as a ratio between an output value and an input value used
to produce the output. Output consists of products or services and input consists of materials,
labour, capital, energy, etc. There is nothing as dangerous to an economy as a decrease in
productivities because it creates inflationary pressure, social conflict, and mutual suspicion
(Drucker, 1980). There are diverse reasons for embarking on productivity studies in the
construction industry. First, it may be for detailed estimating and project scheduling, which
measures the input as labour hours and the output as installed quantities (Dozzi and
AbouRizk 1993). Second, productivity may be measured to identify industry trends and to
allow performance comparisons with other industry sectors (BFC 2006) and third, Company-
level or project-level productivity measurement provides internal and external benchmarks
for comparison with company or project norms (Park et al. 2005; Ellis and Lee 2006). Jarkas

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(2010) argued that, since construction is a labour-intensive industry, manpower is the only
productive resource, thus construction productivity is mainly dependent on human effort and
performance. In most countries, construction labour cost comprises 30% – 50% of the overall
project’s cost (Jarkas et al, 2012). Over the years, consultants and contractors relies on
personal judgment and productivity data based on craftsmen output in the UK for labour cost
estimate of civil and building works in Nigeria (Ayeni, 1992 p12). This is not only
misleading but a contentious issue in view of the fact that, the construction industry of most
developing countries still maintains a low level of mechanization on the construction sites,
and at the same time, factors that influence labour productivity varies from one country to
another. Besides, productivity data used over time were rarely amended or revised and hence
subject to considerable uncertainty. Earlier studies revealed that outputs of labour in the
Nigeria construction industry are much lower than those of their counterparts in the United
States of America and United Kingdom (Ayandele, 1997). In specific terms Edmond (1974)
reported an output of 2.93 and 4.18 square metre per man-day for formwork to soffits and
walls respectively in Nigeria as against output of 10.87 and 13.38 square metre respectively
for the same activity in United Kingdom. In Wahab's study, it was shown that the man-days
per square metre in Nigeria varied from 6.44 to 16.78 as against 2.33 for U.K, 3.28 for
Ireland and 1.53 for USA.
The steel fixer is one who specializes in the cutting, bending and fixing of steel reinforcement
into forms and in accordance to specification. Reinforcement fixing is highly labour intensive
and time consuming. The cost of the rebar trade is approximately one third of the overall cost
of the reinforced concrete frame (Illingworth, 2000), of which the cost of labour comprises
approximately 30%. The fixing operation in beams is associated with added difficulty
because of the space confinement of formwork moulds in which reinforcement is fixed, and
the variability of reinforcing bar diameters, locations and details. However, for structural
elements such as foundations, slabs, and to a large extent columns and walls, the fixing
operation takes place in a relatively open and accessible space, thus for an approximately
equal quantity of reinforcement, it is usually characterized by smaller gang sizes and shorter
duration. In view of the absence of a local standard for measuring the outputs of steel fixers,
the focus of this study is to determine the output of steel fixers in cutting, bending and

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placing reinforcing bars into structural elements (beams, column, floor slabs and stair) and to
determine the percentage of time spent productively on site. The value of this research is that,
apart from its usefulness in preliminary advice to the client and in preparation of labour
estimate for steel fixers based on Nigerian craftsmen capacity, it will be useful to the
contractors when decision regarding the adequacy of crew size and award of bonus incentives
scheme to deserving workers that put in work in excess of the set standard has to be taken. It
will also enable the planning engineer to maintain basic productivity rate and likewise
enhance the assessment of sub-contractors nationally.

2. Literature Review

Labour productivity is influenced by various factors present at the project site. These factors
are very difficult to consider during the measurement and estimation of production rates
because of its variable nature and uniqueness of every project. Ameh and Odusami (2002)
identified low wages, lack of materials and unfriendly working atmosphere as having key
impact on productivity of craftsmen involved in in-situ concrete operation in single storey
building projects in Nigeria. Makulsawatudom et al. (2004) established 10 most significant
factors affecting construction productivity in Thailand and they include lack of materials,
incomplete drawings, incompetent supervisors, lack of tools and equipment, absenteeism,
poor communication, instruction time, poor site layout, inspection delay and rework.
Enshassi et al.’s (2007) study in the Gaza Strip identified the five most important factors that
impact negatively on labour productivity as material shortages, lack of experience of labour,
lack of labour surveillance, and alteration of drawings/specification during execution. The
major categories of factors in Dai et al.’s (2009) study of craft workers perception of 83
factors that affect their productivity in the US revolve around availability of tools and
consumables, materials, construction equipment and engineering drawing management.

Reinforcement in concrete may be steel bars or mesh fabric. The steel bars are usually
classified or manufactured on account of their strength as:

* Mild steel, which is usually round in section and plain, but could be deformed.

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* High yield which is usually deformed.

High yield bars are almost twice as strong as mild steel for the same diameter. This factor
enables designers to achieve reduction in the overall sectional area of steel reinforcement in
concrete by using high yield rod. Reinforcing bars are rolled in ten standard diameters as
shown in the Table 1 below:

Table 1: Standard reinforcing Bars in Nigeria Market

SIZES
Mm Inches Weight Kg/m
6 ¼ 0.222
5
8 /16 0.375
5
10 /8 0.616
12 ½ 0.888
5
16 /8 1.579
¾
20 2.466
25 1 3.854
32 1¼ 6.313
40 1½ 9.864
50 2 15.413

The common tools used by steel fixers in Nigeria are: (a) Pincers: This is a tool consisting of
two hinged arms, for gripping and for cutting binding wire. (b) Bender: This is another
important tool used by the steel fixer, formed and welded into F-shape using high yield steel
bar, mainly used in bending reinforcement into the required shape so as to fit into the forms
easily. (c ) Hacksaw: It is a hand saw used for cutting metal. (d) Measuring Tape: Used for
measuring steel bar, size of forms etc.

Cutting and bending, and fixing of reinforcement are two distinct activities which could be
performed by two different gangs on site. Alternatively, the reinforcement could be pre-
assembled into cages off-site, transported and lifted into position using mechanical hoist. The
commonest method of tying reinforcing rode is using the soft iron binding wire at selected
intersection of main bars and links or stirrups in the appropriate structural element using the
pincer.

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In the context of labour productivity, the input to an activity is measured by the direct labour
hours charged to the activity. Several methods have evolved for improving the construction
productivity based on the motion and time study (Thomas and Daily,1983). Some examples
of such methods are stopwatch study, photographic method, taping video, time-lapse video.
Other method of productivity measurement is work-sampling and five minutes rating.

3. Research Method

The aim of the study was to establish a standard labour output that will serve as a data base
for computation of labour cost estimation in Nigeria. The choice of Lagos as the study area
benefits the study because it permits the sampling of a large population of craftsmen in
construction firms. Lagos is located in South-West Nigeria. Being a former federal capital
and now the commercial nerve centre of the country, Lagos hosts many of the reputable
construction companies operating in Nigeria. Lagos is listed as one of the 25 megacities of
the World with an estimated population of about 17million in 2007 and a growth rate (3.2%)
which has an attendant pressure on its infrastructure. There are numerous construction
projects in Lagos executed by both the private and public sector to meet the housing,
economic and infrastructure requirements of the emerging megacity.

Two approaches adopted for measuring steel workers’ productivity are activity sampling and
work study. Activity sampling is used to determine the proportion of time spent by a gang of
workers productively or un-productively. The equipment used was mainly stopwatch, pencil,
calculator and activity sampling sheet (Groover, 2007 p. 341). These studies were observed
on different days but starting at the same time and stopped at the same time in all the sites
visited for observation. An observation interval of ten minutes was used between 9.30am –
3.20pm. A total of 25 observations per steel fixers in a day was made. Time study measures
the time required to perform a given task in accordance with a specified method.

The data for this study was collected from twenty (20) building construction sites within
Lagos metropolis. Considering the fact that only one trade (steel fixing) is involved, the
sample size of 20 building construction sites is large and adequate enough to draw any
reasonable conclusion. The activities of the iron fixer were divided into two tasks groups. The

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first group involves cutting and bending steel rods while the second group involves placing
and tying steel rods into the appropriate structural forms for beams, columns, stairs and floor
slabs. Decimal minute stop watch was used to record the time productively spent by a gang of
steel fixer to cut and bend one tonne of steel as well as placing and tying a tonne of steel in
specified structural form. All the steel fixers were averagely skilled, averagely motivated and
of good physical health. The tools used were simple hand tools consisting of 15 metre tape,
pincers, F-shaped high yield iron for bending bars, and hack saws.

4. Result

From the biographical information of the respondents presented in Table 2, four level of
education were identified and used for the study. The response indicate that ten percent of the
steel fixers had no basic education, 20% have trade test, 23.3% have ordinary level school
certificate while 46.7% have primary school leaving certificate. It can be observed that the
steel fixers were not will educated academically. The implication of this on the steel workers
ability for critical reasoning and ability to make independent judgment is grievous. On the
total number of years each steel fixer have spent on the Job, only 25% of the respondent have
over 16 years work experience 15% have below 5 years on the job experiences, 28.3% have
between 5 and 10 years experience and 31.7% have between 11 and 15 years experience. The
model class for the years of experience is between 11 – 15 years, which indicate adequate
level of exposure to the task. The age distribution of the steel fixers that participated in the
study indicate that very few (six percent) of the steel fixers were below 20 years. This
category were in the minority. They are mostly apprentices who are working for their
masters. 23.3% were between 20 and 30 years, 33.3% were between 31 – 40 years and 33.4%
were ever 40 years. From the analysis, it can be inferred that majority of the steel fixers are
within the active work group, although this again depend on the physiological makeup of the
individual. The weekly (six days) wages in Naira of the steel fixers was also investigated. It
was observed that overwhelming majority 71.7% earn between 3000 and 4000 Naira daily,
16.7% earn between 2000 and 2999 Naira while only few (eight percent) earn over 4000
Naira. It is important to note that as at the time of this study, a U.S. dollar officially exchange
for One hundred and fifty six Naira (N156.00). This means that a daily wage rate of the

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highest paid steel fixer is more than 25.64 US dollars ($25.64). This is higher than the United
Nation’s recommendation of at least $1.25 dollar per hour or $10 (N1, 560.00k) per day to
escape poverty. Hence, the workers can be said to be moderately motivated financially.
Table 2: Demographic Characteristic of Steel Fixers
1. Level of Education Frequency Cumulative % Cumulative
(N=60)
Frequency

i. Primary School 28 28 46.7 46.7

ii. O’ Level 14 42 23.3 70

iii. No basic education 6 48 10 80

iv. Trade test 12 60 20 100

Year of experience
(N=60)

i. Below 5 years 9 9 15 15

ii. 5 – 10 years 17 26 28.3 43.3

iii. 11 – 15 years 19 45 31.7 75

iv. 16 – 20 years 7 52 11.7 86.7

v. Over 20 years 8 60 13.3 100

Age (N= 60)

i. Below 20 years 6 6 10 10

ii. 20 – 30 years 14 20 23.3 33.3

iii. 31 – 40 years 20 40 33.3 66.6

iv. 41 – 50 years 16 56 26.7 93.3

v. Over 50 years 4 60 6.7 100

Daily wages in Naira

(N=60)

i. 1000 – 2000 2 2 3.3 3.3

ii. 2000 – 3000 10 12 16.7 20

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iii. 3000 – 4000 43 12 16.7 20

iv. Over 4000 5 60 8.3 100

Table 3 shows the result of activity sampling of steel fixers. The result indicate that a
proficient steel fixer Spent about 75% of his time per day doing productive work while the
remaining is spend doing work that are not directly related to productivity. This is however,
not unconnected with the type of contract as the percentage may increase if it is a labour only
contract as opposed to other contract type.
Table3: ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF STEEL FIXERS’ WORKING TIME ON SITE

Site No. of effective Number of Total Number of Effective time (%) Ineffective time
time observed ineffective time Time observed
(%)
observed

A 92 33 125 73.6 26.4

B 75 25 100 75 25

C 41 9 50 82 18

D 56 19 75 74.7 25.3

E 37 19 75 74.7 25.3

F 59 13 50 64 36

G 74 16 75 78.7 21.3

H 55 26 100 74 26

I 37 20 75 73.3 26.3

J 37 13 50 64 36

Mean effective time = 75.1%

Mean ineffective time = 24.9%.
Table 4 shows the labour output in hours per items for cutting and bending steel bars into
structural forms for floor, beams, columns, staircase and floor slabs base on one steel fixer.
The result indicate a mean labour output of 41.58 hours, 24.10 hours, 25.06 hours and 27.05
hours per tonne for beams, columns, stairs and floor slabs respectively. Similarly, Table 5
shows the mean labour output per steel fixer of 67.70 hours, 35.20 hours, 25.10 hours and
45.60 hours per tonne for placing, tying into forms for Beams, columns, staircase and floor
slabs respectively. The outputs of steel fixers currently in use in Nigeria for estimation
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purposes irrespective of the structural member are 63 hours, 45 hours, 35 hours, 27.5 hours
and 22.5 hours for cutting and bending one tone of 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm and 16mm
reinforcing bars respectively (anonymous). The same output is used for placing the bars into
structural forms.

4. Conclusion

The main aim of the study was to establish a local standard labour output for craftsmen
involved in cutting, bending and placing steel bars into beams, columns and slabs, which will
serve as information for planning and schedule of work. This study has shown that a
proficient steel fixer, that is moderately motivated is capable of cutting and bending one
tonne of steel rods manually into beams, columns and stairs in 41.58, 24.10 and 25.06 hours
respectively and also capable of doing the same for floor slabs in 27.65 hours. Similarly, a
proficient steel fixer is capable of placing and tying one tonne of steel rods into beams,
columns and stairs in 67.70, 35.20 and 26.10 hours respectively and also capable of doing
same into slab in 45.60hours.

Steel fixers manage their time more effectively on site when engaged as sub-contractors
rather than when employed on a day work schedule. The study revealed that steel fixers use
75.1% of their working time effectively while 24.9% of same is used ineffectively

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