Fuzzy FMEA for the safety risk analysis of underground coal mining (a case study in Iran)

Abstract

Hazards in underground coal mines create an unsafe working environment for workers and equipment. This paper aims to analyze the safety risk in underground coal mining using an improved Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) method. To achieve this, the causes of the main events that threaten the safety of the working environment were identified and discussed in a case study; Parvadeh Tabas coal mine, Iran. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was applied to calculate the importance degree of each hazard. Then, the FMEA approach under the fuzzy environment was used for the safety risk analysis. Regarding the results of this study, the outburst-related hazards, failure to provide sufficient compressed air, and the electrical locomotive-related hazards have the highest level of safety risk. In this concept, it is possible to identify the leading causes of accidents and propose practical solutions to improve the safety conditions of the mine working places.