The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Construction Labor Force and Performance Metrics: A Case for Automation
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Abstract
Description
Pandemics, such as Covid-19 virus spread fast with significant impact on people and the
economy. The construction industry with productivity stagnation of over two decades is not
excluded from this significant impact or restrictions that determine the present way of life. These
restrictions (e.g., government shutdowns, social distancing, and face mask requirement) impede
several construction processes resulting in scheduling restrictions, increased work-related
hazards, and developing challenges helping to sabotage existing labor force shortage issues.
Consequently, researchers and practitioners have focused on low-risk activities, staggered
schedules, etc. However, there is a need to appraise the impact of Covid-19 on construction labor
force while making a case for construction automation. In this study, the authors utilized a state
of practice review of Covid-19-related developments (i.e., disruptions, standards, and regulatory
practices) within construction, along with qualitative and quantitative approach among twelve
professionals. The study identified productivity, safety, and quality concerns affecting the
construction workforce before proposing a workflow for increased automation within the
industry to deal with the present and future pandemics. The findings demonstrate the need and
emphasize the importance of embracing automation for construction processes in phases that can
improve labor force issues and performance metrics to change the path for lingering concerns in
construction.
Keywords
TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General), TH Building construction