Systemic Accident Analysis Methods: A Comparison of Tripod-β, RCA and ECFC

The adverse outcomes of major accidents have led to the development of accident analysis techniques so as to fully investigate the incidents. However, each method has its own advantages and deficiencies, which makes it very difficult to find a single technique being capable of analyzing all types of events. So, the comparison of accident analysis methods would help find out their status in different specifications and select a more suitable method. In this research, RCA, ECFC were compared with Tripod β in order to determine the superior technique for the analysis of major accidents in manufacturing industries. Subjects and In the first step of study, comparison criteria were developed using literature reviews and Delphi method. In the second step, the relative importance of each criterion was qualitatively determined and then applying Fuzzy triangular numbers, the qualitative values were converted to the quantitative values. Finally, using TOPSIS, the techniques were prioritized in terms of the criteria and the superior technique was determined. The results of the study showed that ECFC is superior to CBA and AABF. Available techniques should be compared based on proper criteria in order to select the best one for the analysis, because inappropriate selection of accident analysis techniques may lead to misguided results.