Hazard identification, risk assessment and control for dam construction safety using an integrated BWM and MARCOS approach under interval type-2 fuzzy sets environment

Undoubtedly, dams are one of the projects developed by people to make optimal water use and generate hydroelectric energy power. In addition to the importance of detailed project planning, faultless production, and optimal working conditions in dam constructions, it is equally important to identify and analyze the risks from the occupational health and safety (OHS) perspective that may arise during construction and operation. In this context, hazard identification, risk analysis, and control, which are the main issues of dam safety, have gained importance. In this study, a novel approach is developed for dam construction safety. Two newly proposed multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) methods of Best-Worst Method-BWM and measurement of alternatives and ranking to Compromise solution-MARCOS, are merged under the context of interval type-2 fuzzy sets (IT2FSs). Severity and probability, two essential parameters of the risk score, have been weighted using BWM. Subsequently, the priority orders of hazards have been determined by the MARCOS. In implementing the approach to the blasting process in dam construction, several control measures are suggested for stakeholders. Some comparative works and sensitivity analyses are performed to test the approach's validity and solidity from the methodological viewpoint.

Automated summary

Dams play a crucial role in optimal water use and hydroelectric energy generation, but it is equally important to identify and analyze risks from the perspective of occupational health and safety during construction and operation. This study developed a novel approach for dam construction safety, merging two newly proposed multicriteria decision-making methods under the context of interval type-2 fuzzy sets. The approach weighted essential risk parameters and determined priority orders of hazards, suggesting control measures for stakeholders in the blasting process of dam construction. Comparative works and sensitivity analyses were performed to test the approach's validity and solidity.