A Novel Approach Based on DEMATEL Method for Causal Modeling an Effective Factors in Falling from Height Accidents in Construction Projects

Falling from height known as one of the most important factors that leads to fatal accidents in the construction industry.The purpose of this study was to investigate,identify the effective factors in the occurrence of falling from heightaccidents in the construction projects,determine the causal relationships between organizational,individual andenvironmental factors.In this research,the surveyed population was the workers of five construction projects of a gas refinery in south ofIran from 2011 to 2015. Using the Integrated Management System (IMS) information,factors,sub-factors affectingthe occurrence of falling from height accidents in the construction projects were determined. Then,a semi-comparativequestionnaire based on the DEMATEL technique was designed,distributed among 10 experts at two differentperiods. Based on the expert's opinions,the identified factors,sub-factors were classified into three main factorsand fourteen sub-factors,respectively. Then,the causal relationships between each the effective factor were identified,using DEMATEL technique.The results of DEMATEL technique revealed that the individual factors were considered to be the most importantcriteria,as it has acquired the maximum (𝐷 + 𝑅) value,i.e.,36.689 whereas,organizational factors had scored theleast,i.e.,35.180. Accordingly,organizational factors,their sub-factors had a substantial effect on the falling fromheight accidents,were considered as causal variables (D-R>0),while,the indices of individual,environmentalfactors were the effect variables (D-R<0). So that,mutual understanding was an organizational sub-factor that had thehighest impact on the occurrence of falling from height,has been identified as a causal variable.Generally,it is necessary to consider specific plans such as stress management,safety culture programs in orderto reduce unsafe conditions in the construction projects