A Prioritization Model for HSE Risk Assessment Using Combined Failure Mode and Effect Analysis and Fuzzy Inference System: A Case Study in Iranian Construction Industry

The problem of insufficient data and uncertainty in modeling play a significant role in many engineering and management problems. Therefore, applying some techniques and decision-making processes is essential to attain proper solutions for aforementioned problems under accurate consideration. In this paper, an application of fuzzy inference system for modeling the indeterminacy involved in the problem of HSE risk assessment is presented. For this purpose, Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA), one of the most practical techniques with high reliability in HSE risk assessment is integrated with fuzzy inference system. The proposed model is executed according to the Mamdani algorithm and fuzzy logic toolbox of MATLAB software. With respect to a case study, a comparison between the proposed model and common FMEA risk assessment approach is made for prioritization of the HSE risks. The selected HSE risk factors which were analyzed are listed in three categories as follows: (a) health risks; (b) safety risks and (c) environmental risks. Based on the proposed model, falling and slipping of workers grouping with safety risks is ranked as the first serious risk with the risk priority number of 0.7938 and skin injury which is classified with health risks is considered as an inconsiderable risk with the lowest risk priority number of 0.0223. Ultimately, by applying the method on a case study, the results indicate that the proposed model by considering economic aspects as an intelligent risk evaluation tool provides more detailed and precise results.