WORK SAMPLING AS A PERFORMANCE MEASURE FOR MAINTENANCE FUNCTIONS

The way in which two work-sampling studies were used as tools for objectively measuring activity levels in transit-vehicle maintenance shops is discussed. Positions ranging from utility worker to foreworker were sampled in four shops to determine how time was utilized, i.e., productively or nonproductively. The results of the studies are summarized and their implications examined. Improvements were found as a consequence of recommendations implemented after the first study; however, foreworker control over the work force was found to be insufficient in both studies. Increases in essentially nonproductive activities were attributed to decreased work load, and the issue of sufficient work load raised the possibility of adjustment of staffing levels. The data compiled from the work-sampling study were used to estimate the potential for reducing staff through attrition and transfer.