Integrated approach for occupational health and safety (OHS) risk Assessment: An Empirical (Case) study in Small enterprises

Like large and medium industries, Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) management has become a highly demanding issue for Small Enterprises (SEs) under the backdrop of numerous and varied diseases and accidents. However, any systematic OHS risk assessment model is still lacking in SEs. This study is initiated to develop a comprehensive model by integrating Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and Fuzzy Inference System (FIS). A total of 16 sub-criteria under 3 criteria were chosen using focus group discussions with several experts. The weights of the sub-criteria were determined using FAHP method, which were further used to score the present conditions of the SEs. Three input variables and one output variable were selected for generating FIS model. The FIS model for OHS risk assessment was established after constructing fuzzy membership functions and fuzzy inference rules. This model was implemented in five SEs of Bangladesh for validation. The risk scores were calculated and among the five enterprises, one was found highly risky, and three were moderately risky. Expectedly, this model will assist the safety professionals and managers to design effective workplace health and safety management strategy and programs.

Automated summary

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) management has become a pressing issue for Small Enterprises (SEs) due to various diseases and accidents, but there is a lack of systematic risk assessment models. This study developed a comprehensive model by integrating Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and Fuzzy Inference System (FIS). The model was validated in five SEs in Bangladesh, and it can assist in designing effective workplace health and safety management strategies.