Fatal accident analysis and hazards identification in Turkish coal-extracting industry using analytic hierarchy process

The aim of this study is to present hazard classifications of location, type and causes of accidents in the Turkish coal-extracting industry using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). In this study, fatal mine accidents were analyzed by pairwise comparison and weighting, and the most important hazards were identified by determining the effective main and sub-criteria among location, type and causes of accidents. For this purpose, first-, second- and third-level hazards consisting of location, type and causes of accident were determined by using the data of fatal mine accidents in underground and openpit coal mining in Turkey between 2010 and 2020. Background Coal mining has been accepted as one of the most dangerous workplaces due to the nature of the work in the world, where it is classified as the most dangerous sector in terms of occupational health and safety. Although it has become one of the safest sectors in some countries since the second half of the 20th century, many countries, including Turkey, are still struggling with the negative consequences of occupational accidents in coal mines. Coal mine accidents can occur as many different types, from firedamp and coal dust explosions to roof falls, mine floods and equipment-based accidents. These occupational accidents cause injury or loss of life as well as loss of resources and disruption of production. Coal mine accidents are not only caused by a single factor risk, but also by the linkage between multifactorial risks. Therefore, investigating the mechanism of multifactorial risk and determining the linkage risk is important for the control of coal mine accidents. For this reason, this study analyzed coal mine accidents with the AHP method, which is one of the multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques. Methods AHP, used as a decision analysis tool, is a mathematical method developed by Saaty in 1977 to analyze complex decisions involving many criteria. In the classical AHP, which allows simplification of complex problems by creating a hierarchical structure, the knowledge and experience of the decision-maker are included in the decision-making process. It is a method that allows the use of qualitative and quantitative criteria in the evaluation and selection of decision options. Problem solving with the AHP is based on three principles: (1) decomposition, (2) comparative evaluations and (3) synthesis of priorities. In the AHP technique, a matrix is created as a result of pairwise comparisons, and criteria weights are obtained as a result of these calculations. It is also possible to determine the consistency ratio. The basis of the consistency ratio calculation is the comparison of the number of criteria and the coefficient called eigenvalue (base value, λMax). AHP calculates a consistency ratio (CR) that compares the consistency index (CI) of the matrix in question (with the judgment of the decision-maker) with the random consistency index (RI) of a random-similar matrix. Results and discussion In this study, the fatal accident data in Turkish coal mining between 2010 and 2020 were categorized and each category was prioritized using the AHP method. The most important hazards were determined by scoring both quantitative and qualitative data such as location, type and causes of accidents in the accident report prepared by the Chamber of Mining Engineers of Turkey, and expert opinions on accidents occurring in coal mining where uncertainty and complexity are high and where multifactorial risks are effective. When the results of the AHP analysis are compared with the accident statistics, there is an agreement between the statistical mortality rate and the accident types and accident causes determined by AHP. According to the accident statistics, the accidents with the highest number of fatalities in underground coal mining in these 10 years were firedamp explosions, roof falls and haulage-related accidents, and the death rates were 59.9, 19.8 and 4.9 percent, respectively. According to the AHP results, the weights of the type of accidents belonged to firedamp explosion (0.409), roof falls (0.229) and accidents by machinery used in haulage (0.113), respectively. In openpit coal mining, according to the accident statistics, the highest number of fatalities occurred in landslides at 20.3 percent, and truck and other accidents at 17.5 percent. According to the AHP results, the weight of landslides (0.429) and traffic accidents caused by trucks and other vehicles (0.385) are the top two with the highest scores. In this study, the results obtained with AHP are compatible with both the accident statistics and the results obtained from other studies on accident analysis. Conclusions The results obtained with AHP simplified the complex and multifactorial fatal accidents occurring in coal mining by making pairwise comparisons, and thus revealed with more clarity and in detail against which hazards more precautions should be taken. In previous studies on the analysis of occupational accidents, analyses were made by using only accident statistics, and evaluations were made based on numerical data, but the hazards were not categorized as in this study. Coal mining accidents are highly complex, and many factors can affect their occurrence. Coal mine accidents are not only caused by a single factor risk, but also by the linkage between multifactorial risks. Therefore, in this study, the MCDM technique was used to categorize and quantify these complex and multifactorial risks in coal mining and to determine which hazards are the most important. It is shown that the results obtained with MCDM in this study will contribute to the control of occupational accidents in coal mining in Turkey. The detailed identification of the hazards that cause the most accidents and fatalities, together with their location, type and causes, using accident data, distinguishes this study from other studies, and it is expected to contribute to coal mining as the results are consistent with statistical data. Moreover, this study is expected to contribute to the reduction of accidents and fatalities by prioritizing the most important hazards and providing proactive measures. It provides safety, mining and practicing engineers with a new method of risk assessment that has not been applied so far. The usability of the AHP method instead of accident analysis and risk assessment methods in coal mining where different methodologies are used can be examined in future studies. References A list of all references is available in the full paper.

Fatal accident analysis and hazards identification in Turkish coal-extracting industry using analytic hierarchy process

Authored by:
Arif Emre Dursun

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