An Application of Failure Mode and Effect Analysis on Improving Occupational Health and Safety Process of Marble Factories

Abstract

Occupational health and safety (OHS) is one of the most important issues throughout the world. Occupational accidents are inevitable due to the economic and social problems in work life, illiteracy, inexperience of workers and irresponsible employers [3]. Furthermore dealing with many uncontrollable parameters until handling natural materials makes mining one of the most hazardous parts of the industry [4]. Serious accidents occur during removing (cutting) the blocks from bedrock, and transporting and installing them. This is caused by the high tonnage due to the density of marbles or natural stones, and the requirement to produce them in blocks [5]. Recurring accidents include falling, crashing, trapping and losing a part of body or life [6-8]. Preventing occupational accidents is an important task of human resource management. Multifactorial interventions can be effective in decreasing occupational accidents [9]. Process analysis and improvement methods can be easily implemented for OHSbased improvement attempts. One of the methods, Failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) is preferred due to its easiness of practical application and applicability to qualitative assessment [10].