The poor safety situation in the United Kingdom (UK) construction industry and its adverse socio-economic record are well documented in the existing literature. The application of Lean Construction techniques has been proposed as an effective strategy to address accidents on construction sites, a major safety concern in the construction industry. However, examination of the relationship between Lean Construction techniques and safety issues has been marginal. This study explores this relationship with the aim of developing a framework for using Lean Construction techniques to promote safety on UK construction sites. A framework was initially devised based on a synthesis of the literature and further refined based on findings from interviews held with 10 Lean Construction practitioners on antecedents of Lean Construction techniques and safety issues. In order to develop and confirm the framework, data was collected from practicing Lean Construction organisations using a questionnaire survey and analysed using descriptive statistics, inferential statistics and inter-rater agreement statistical test to examine the pattern and extent of the relationships. The study found a total of thirty-eight (38) relationships between Lean Construction techniques and safety issues. These relationships are mainly positive in nature in that they demonstrate path to improvement in safety on construction sites. They show which techniques could be used to address the relevant safety issue. Furthermore, it was established that the application of Lean Construction techniques on construction sites can be impeded by challenges such as: lack of Lean Construction knowledge, complexity, misconception about Lean and difficulties in changing employees’ working culture. The study identified strategies that could be used to address these challenges. These include enlightenment on benefits of Lean practice, publication of improvements realised from Lean practice, training, workers’ involvement and empowerment, persistence, robust planning and gradual step-by-step implementation. The study, therefore, concludes that Lean Construction techniques have positive relationships with safety issues on construction sites in the UK and on the basis of the relationships develops an integrated framework to guide application of the techniques by contracting organisations in promoting safety. The study makes a number of recommendations including the incorporation of Lean Construction practice into government health and safety initiatives, regulations and policies, and identifies areas for further research.

El presente estudio se llevó a cabo en el departamento de emergencia y cuidados críticos del Hospital Nacional Hipólito Unánue, hospital de tercer nivel de atención. El motivo del estudio se basó en realizar una mejora en los procesos buscando una excelencia operativa que permita reducir los tiempos de espera, mejorar el manejo de información y eliminar actividades que no generen valor en los procedimientos. Para llevar a cabo el proyecto se utilizó diversas herramientas de la técnica Lean HealthCare con la finalidad de eliminar las ineficiencias y lograr que todo el trabajo realizado proporcione valor y cumpla con las necesidades de los pacientes. En primer lugar, se realizó un estudio de las técnicas lean y de la situación actual de la institución en estudio. Posteriormente se realizó un diagnóstico mediante una simulación de la situación actual y analizar las causas raíces de los problemas que se suscitan en el centro de salud. Seguido de ello se evaluó la situación actual del área e identificar los puntos de mejora buscando brindar una atención en el menor tiempo posible. Finalmente se realizaron mejoras, ya que se redujeron los tiempos de atención y se mejoraron los procedimientos de atención que se realizan en el departamento de emergencia y cuidados críticos más eficiente y eficaz. / The present study was carried out in the emergency and critical care department of the Hipolito Unanue National Hospital, a third-level care hospital. The reason for the study was based on making an improvement in the processes seeking operational excellence that allows to reduce waiting times, improve the handling of information and eliminate activities that do not generate value in the procedures. To carry out the project, various tools of the Lean HealthCare technique were used in order to eliminate inefficiencies and ensure that all the work done provides greater value and meets the needs of patients. In the first place, a study of the lean techniques and the situation of the institution under study was carried out. Subsequently, a diagnosis was made through a simulation and the root causes of the problems that arise in the health center were analyzed. Following this, the points of improvement were evaluated and identified, seeking to provide attention in the shortest possible time. Finally, improvements were made, since the attention times were reduced and the care procedures performed in the emergency department and critical care were improved. / Trabajo de Suficiencia Profesional