An integrated DEMATEL-ANP approach for identification and prioritization of factors affecting fall from height accidents in the construction industry

Objectives. The decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) technique integrated with the analytic network process (ANP) is used for determination and prioritization of cause-effect relationships among factors affecting construction falls. Methods. Considering the 135 fall accidents collected between 2013 and 2018 from 15 residential construction projects, 70 factors and sub-factors affecting the occurrence of construction falls were determined based on safety experts' opinions. Questionnaires based on the former and the latter were then distributed among 10 occupational health and safety specialists to determine the effectiveness of the factors. The interactions and important degree of each factor are specified, using the DEMATEL-ANP approach. Results. Findings showed that organizational factors and their sub-factors have the greatest impact on construction falls and were considered as causal variables (D - R > 0), while individual and environmental factors were considered as the effect variables (D - R < 0). The results of prioritization using the ANP method showed that the work platform altitude, psychological/occupational stresses and interactions were ranked as the first through third priorities affecting the falls, respectively. Conclusions. It is necessary to implement a systematic strategy to reduce the unsafe conditions in construction projects and to pay more attention to organizational factors.