A Current Overview of Multi-criteria Decision-making Methods Used in Occupational Health and Safety
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The prevention of hazards in the workplace, along with measures and practices concerningthe health and safety of employees are determined by national and international norms, directivesand laws. In every small or large-scale workplace, hazards must be identified. Each industry ischaracterised by a different risk factor. The NACE codes, specific to each line of business, show whichhazard group the sector of operation belongs to. For enterprises with a very dangerous risk group,the hazard type and the effects in case of an accident are quite different from those with the lessdangerous risk group. Therefore, the risk analyses prepared are specific to each line of business andeach workplace. Protection methods are determined according to the identified risks. Whendetermining protection methods, there is a ranking from general to specific; that is, fromenvironmental protection to personal protection. It is necessary to make important decisions atalmost every step of these applications. Considering the fact that success is achieved through correctdecisions, the importance of Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods manifests itself. Multicriteria or multi-attribute decision-making methods contribute to the elimination of risks thanks tomathematical rankings by using heuristic, verbal algorithms. MCDM methods in the field ofoccupational health and safety(OHS) are generally related to the ranking of hazards and risks.Decision-making processes basically consist of defining the problem, establishing criteria, evaluatingalternatives, and determining the best alternative. Therefore, these methods differ according to thenature of the purpose and problem, and the relationship between alternatives. In fact, choosing theright decision-making method according to the problem is one of the most important decisionmaking problems. Today, AI technologies and AI algorithms are based on mathematical models. Theindustrial revolutions (3.0, 4.0, 5.0) owe their progress to these mathematical models. Risk analyses,especially those conducted in the field of OHS, aim to increase productivity by reducing work andworkforce loss. With reference to the current literature, this study aims to examine the MCDMmethods used in the field of OHS, and why those methods are chosen (in which sectors, for whatpurposes, according to what criteria); and examines the studies carried out according to MCDMmethods based on the sector and weighting criteria. MCDM methods, which have just begun to beused in the field of OHS, are quite numerous and vary according to the case, sector, and priorities.This study aims to constitute a guide in using the desired decision-making method.
DOI: 10.71235/rmee.190
Author: Evren ÇAĞLARER
Institution: Kırklareli University
Language: English
Field: Decision Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4408712810