Hybrid fuzzy MCDM and FMEA integrating with linear programming approach for the health and safety executive risks: a case study

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to present a new failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) approach based on fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods and multi-objective programming model for risk assessment in the planning phase of the oil and gas construction projects (OGCP) in Iran. Design/methodology/approach: This research contains multiple steps. First, 19 major potential health and safety executive (HSE) risks in OGCP were classified into six categories with the Delphi method. These factors were distinguished by the review of project documentation, checklist analysis and consulting with experts. Then, using the fuzzy SWARA method, the authors calculated the weights of major HSE risks. Subsequently, FMEA and PROMETHEE approaches were used to identify the priority of main risk factors. Eventually, a binary multi-objective linear programming approach was developed to select the risk response strategies, and an augmented e-constraint method (AECM) was used. Findings: Regarding the project triple well-known constraints of time, cost and quality, which organizations usually confront, the HSE risks of OGCP were identified and prioritized. Also, the appropriate risk response strategies were also suggested to the managers to be adopted regarding the situations. Originality/value: The present research points at the HSE risks’ assessment integrating the fuzzy FMEA, step-wise weight assessment ratio analysis and PROMETHEE techniques with the AECM. Further to the authors’ knowledge, the quantitative assessment of the HSE risks of OGCP has not been done using the combination of the fuzzy FMEA, MCDM and AECMs.