Optimized logistics : performance lever in the construction sector

Site logistics is an increasingly important issue in the world of construction sites. The management of stocks, flows and equipment is becoming more and more important.

A site is constantly in motion, which is why there is no single logistics. It is a set of logistics that meets your needs and your travels depending on the size and progress of your projects.

There are several types of flows in the construction industry :

• Inbound flows : in site logistics, inbound flows correspond to equipment: machinery, specific or non-specific materials, raw material, employees, suppliers, subcontractor flows, etc.
• Outgoing flows : when a work site is taking place, a significant amount of waste, noise or visual nuisance, pollution, etc. inevitably results.

Logistics is therefore the best solution to guarantee optimal performance in the construction sector. This makes it possible to carry out :

- Safety : manage manual handling and prevent accidents / danger

- Production : optimize processes to meet demand deadlines and limit wasted time.

- The environment : respond to a current issue and limit waste and greenhouse gas emissions. This makes it possible to make the sites more sustainable and responsible.

Details of the challenges and issues of site logistics

There are several types of issues and problems in the logistics world :

• Health : 

All companies aim to protect their staff, this is especially the case in the construction industry / construction industry. Accidents are not rare, which is why it is essential to identify the accident factors, to learn / know / repeat the safety rules on sites, to know your responsibilities, to prevent risks, to alert quickly in the event of an accident. accident.

-      Identify the accident factors :

-       Learn / know / repeat the safety rules :

It is important to repeat the working conditions to your employees and to prevent accidents. From there come the general safety rules to be respected.

-       Know your responsibilities :

Client : responsible for the safety of all employees, ensuring that working conditions are respected.

CSPS : the safety and health protection coordinator identifies the risks associated with the site.

Entrepreneur : ensures the safety and health of employees on the site.

-     Prevent risks

• Provide specific training for each function and each employee,
• Ensure proper compliance with safety rules on the site,
• Anticipate risks and prepare the project / site to prevent possible risks,
• Maintain optimal management of PPE and check the good behavior of employees.

-       TO Alert :

Accidents are not uncommon and unfortunately they can sometimes occur on construction sites. It is therefore important to know the right reflexes: first aid actions, call for help, secure the scene of the accident and limit partial attendance.

Then, it is mandatory to report the accident.

An accident is not only the responsibility of the employer or the site manager, but also of all employees on the site.

• Security :

Manual handling is the most common type of accident on construction sites. It can damage the health of employees but also takes a long time.

• Helmets,
• Safety shoes,
• Gloves,
• Yellow vests (visualization),
• Protective glasses,
• Protective masks for chemical products or liquids but also for dust,
• Ear protection,
• Protective clothing.
  
• Production : 
  Knowing how to optimize production to avoid wasting time, not to exceed deadlines. For that :

1. Plan and anticipate : the management of schedules by the client is essential for the good management of sites. Manage the planning of interventions and sites, to optimize the work of your employees and increase your productivity.

2. Mobilize and communicate : It is important that each actor of the site communicate with each other so as not to miss any information but also to support, to recognize the work carried out.

3. Control and act : the control of safety rules is essential but not only. He also ensures that the market conditions are respected.

• Environment :

The environment is a topic we hear more and more about. The construction industry suggests that the environment is not important. Indeed, many trucks drive to the work sites (around 600 per work site). Waste management also remains very difficult

However, there are alternatives such as river deliveries for construction sites located near rivers. This delivery method is certainly longer but remains less polluting and makes it possible to transport a larger number of goods. There are also gas trucks.

It is also a matter of either constructing more ecological buildings with environmental structures such as wood.

The environment is not only a question of ecology but also of ensuring the well-being and serenity of local residents. The goal is not to harm their daily lives.

How to optimize logistics and become more efficient ?

Digitization triggers the optimization of logistics.

Practices / results :

Distribution management

A site requires a large number of materials and therefore a large number of trips. It is therefore important to choose a means of distribution: road, air, sea, foot, etc.

A company seeks to save time thus grouping / preparing / delivering products by destination and not by functions guaranteed to save time.

For example :

Group together all the materials for a bathroom or living room instead of grouping together all the plasterboard useful on the job site.

Reliable logistics management : Logistics base.

It is essential to have a complete logistics base that is optimized. It will allow you to

• Make your delivery processes more reliable,
• Control construction deadlines,
• Anticipate your material deliveries: schedule management,
• Improve your purchases by digitizing site requests,
• Improve the production cycle on site,
• Guarantee the safety of employees,
• Manage waste and reduce nuisance,
• Anticipate and reduce the number of trucks.

Flow management.

The sites use a large number of trucks transporting the various materials. In order to manage to limit traffic jams and congestion on both maritime and road axes, it is important to manage the schedules. This allows quick access to materials without error.

Management of delivery, storage and buffer zones.

A site generally takes up a lot of space, but it is not always available, especially on construction sites in town. The available surfaces are limited. Companies must ensure the stewardship of the surfaces that are available from the construction area to the storage area.

Waste disposal management.

As said previously, the environment is a key issue in site logistics. It is a question of carrying out waste management. The management of waste on site allows their evacuation using complete and adequate handling to transport the waste to containers or dumpsters.

We must also think about sorting waste by category, size and weight in order to be able to store it in the best possible way.

Access optimization.

Many sites are difficult to access. Sometimes he has to ask employees to de-palletize the materials so they can get them to the job site. It is therefore important to anticipate the working conditions:

• Take measures
• Means of transport (elevator, crane, labor, etc.)
• Time limit

Optimization of jobs.

A project can sometimes take several months or even several years. A company must then anticipate the workforce it needs. Hiring an employee early and for the entire site not only ensures compliance with safety rules but also facilitates communication between all employees.

Smart logistics ?

Construction remains a necessity for the construction community, whether in urban or rural areas. Construction allows cities to guarantee a rich and lasting attractiveness. However, the risk is to disrupt the daily lives of residents, businesses and transport voices.

Smart Construction Logistics aims to increase energy efficiency and transport to minimize damage: disruptions, accidents, nuisance.

The aim is to plan logistics flows inside and outside the sites.

Procedure :

Evaluate the transport measures and the actors present.

Optimize site planning and assess the impact of site logistics.

How to find an ecosystem in logistics ?

• Anticipation is essential on site logistics
• Manage schedules: meet the deadline
• Think about time and productivity issues
• Organize the sites (necessary equipment, needs, deadlines, challenges).
• Master the challenges (health, production, environment, jobs)

The purpose of this is to reduce the costs associated with setting up a site and to reduce the impact on the environment.