Selection of ergonomic risk assessment method with pythagorean fuzzy sets: practice in emergency medical services

Abstract

It is difficult to evaluate ergonomic risk factors in occupations with unpredictable tasks, random demands, and variable settings such as emergency medical services (EMS). This study deals with the problem of selecting an ergonomic risk-evaluation method with Pythagorean Fuzzy Sets (PFSs) based Pythagorean Fuzzy AHP (PF-AHP) and Pythagorean Fuzzy WASPAS (PF-WASPAS) methodology. The method selection criteria were obtained by consulting five different anonymous experts on the candidate criteria obtained from the literature review. The final four main criteria and ten sub-criteria were then decided. After the determination of the decision criteria, five experts were asked to evaluate the criteria and to express their opinions on criteria-alternative scoring by means of a questionnaire for method selection. A two-step method is suggested for the selection of the ergonomic risk-evaluation method. In the first step, PF-AHP is utilized in order to identify the weight of criteria used in the method selection. In the second step, the PF-WASPAS method is proposed in order to OWAS, RULA, and REBA methods. The accuracy and validity of the suggested hybrid model is tested with real data in İstanbul Ambulance Service stations. A sensitivity analysis is carried out to test the reliability of the model. Moreover a comparative analysis is carried out with AHP and Fuzzy AHP methods to identify criteria weights. Study results show that REBA is the most appropriate ergonomic risk-evaluation method in EMS.