Lean Practice Techniques for Safer Offsite Construction in Malawi

Within offsite construction (OSC), lean practice is one of the philosophies used for improving safety performance. While lean practice is recognized as an important mechanism for addressing poor safety performance, limited empirical insight is available on lean practice techniques (LPTs) implemented by OSC contractors in developing countries. This study investigated the LPTs implemented by OSC contractors for safety improvement in Malawi. The qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews conducted with thirteen OSC contractors in Malawi. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis with ‘summative’ approach used partially for quantitative counting and comparison of the keywords or phrases. Overall, 30 LPTs were identified as being implemented by OSC contractors in Malawi. Out of the 30 LPTs, only six LPTs reached the 46.15% cut-off point of significantly implemented LPTs. Such LPTs included ‘use of personal protective equipment (PPE)’, ‘providing necessary working equipment’, ‘shining’ (n = 13, 100%), ‘use of visual tools’ (n = 10, 76.92%), ‘use of safeguards’ (n = 7, 53.85%), and ‘use of visual safety demarcations and borders’ (n = 6, 46.15%). The implication of the study lies in the use of LPTs that improve construction safety, both in developed and developing countries such as Malawi. Lean improvement efforts would need to focus on the LPTs with low implementation, and initiatives that help organisations improve their lean practices. The study findings also present an opportunity for project actors to develop interventions for supporting implementation of LPTs to improve construction safety performance.