Learning-based framework for industrial accident prevention: fuzzy cognitive mapping approach

Abstract

Purpose

Despite efforts to improve safety management practices in industrial companies, major accidents seem to be inevitable. Many accidents still occur because companies are unable to learn from past occurrences due to ineffective incident and accident learning processes. This study proposes a learning-based framework for industrial accidents investigation and contributes to accident prevention research.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed learning process includes the analysis of the industrial accident using the Event Tree Analysis (ETA) method, capitalisation of causative factors using the Swiss Cheese Model (SCM), and finally modelling the relationships among the accident causative factors and analysing their causality using the Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (FCM) technique and running learning scenarios.

Findings

The proposed learning process was applied to an industrial accident, and the results showed that human unsafe behaviours and unsafe supervision were the principal causative factors of the blowout accident.

Practical implications

The proposed learning-based framework provides a structured approach for oil and gas companies to systematically analyse and learn from past accidents, enhancing their prevention strategies. Theoretically, the framework bridges the gap between theory and practice by demonstrating how established accident analysis methods can be combined and applied in a real-world industrial context.

Originality/value

The proposed learning process combines accident analysis and investigation techniques with simulations for an in-depth and robust learning-based framework for accident prevention.

Citation

Boulagouas, W., Guelfen, C.E. and Karoune, A. (2024), "Learning-based framework for industrial accident prevention: fuzzy cognitive mapping approach", International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJQRM-06-2023-0201