Faced with different representation models of a work situation whose centers of interest vary from one model to another, guides have been developed to try and analyze occupational risks in their entirety. However, the development of these guides poses a double problem: the completeness of this analysis and the order attributed to the analyzed occupational risks. This article aims to solve this problem through a systemic approach that allows to develop a hierarchical model of occupational risks invariants. Its exploitation allows to carry out an exhaustive analysis of occupational risks and consequently the elaboration of a long-term strategy of prevention.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to deal with the allocation requirements of the dependability of the multiphase systems. Design/methodology/approach It consists of a proposal for a combined methodology based on the simultaneous use of decomposition systems and reliability allocation method. Findings In the developed methodology, the authors use the principles of risk assessment and propose a new formulation of weight allowance with reference to the structural-functional dependence. Practical implications The suggested methodology provides invaluable help to implementation process analysis. Originality/value The adopted allocation approach is based on the use of a three-dimensional model: temporal, structural and functional decomposition of systems.

Purpose The risk control is an unavoidable step in the risk management process. It is materialized by concrete actions of risks reduction in order to decrease their likelihood and/or their severity and also to preserve the environment. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach The main goal of the proposed methodology is to define the safety barriers (SB) that can be realized and their contribution to reduce major accidents scenarios that may occur in high-risk establishments. Findings In the proposed methodology, the authors present a combination of methods to prove the effectiveness of SB in an industrial installation. Practical implications The proposed methodology is a valuable help to industrialists to secure their industrial activities and preserve the environment at the same time. Originality/value The retained methods are often used separately for audit purposes or risk assessments of high-risk industrial facilities. In this paper, three methods have been selected and articulated in an approach for a better evaluation of risk control level.

The decision process is considered as the key element for the smooth behavior of systems. For non-complex or linear systems, this process usually follows clear rules or requirements, so that the decision will be easy to make without any difficulty. In the case of complex (non-linear) systems, the decision-making process is repeatedly challenged problems because of the interactions of several factors at the same time and because of the hazards characterizing these factors. This situation will worsen further if the system goes out of its normal operating range to fall into uncertainty. In this paper, we will try to make our contribution, to arrive at simplifying the decision-making process, while playing on human factors (ability, anticipation, risk-taking, etc.). As this process can be improved by the development of intelligent decision support tools.

Malaysian construction industry is considered as substantial power for the economy of the country. The value of construction work is increasing year per year. Malaysia’s economy experienced a commendable growth the recent years; basically, the construction industry is statistically significant with economic development and has strong linkages with other industry sectors. However, the Malaysian construction industry is facing many challenges especially the fatal accidents. These last came first on top of the construction sector compared all other industries. This article describes the importance of the construction sector for Malaysia’s economy and its efficient contribution across all states of Malaysia. Furthermore, detailed statistics and analysis were carried out to describe the severity of fatal accidents occurred in construction industry of Malaysia. Besides, recommendations were listed in order to better manage the construction industry without involving in fatal accidents. By taking into account the significant influence of the construction industry on Malaysian economy, full attention should be given to the construction field by the Malaysian government and improve further the construction management in general and the construction safety in particular.

Risk mapping is the foundation of the risk prevention strategy. It allows for the understanding of all factors that may affect the activities. It is a collective decision based on negotiation between the actors. Argument-based negotiation accelerates the negotiation process and converges it toward a final and common decision. It is in this context that this paper aims to illustrate the contribution of the improved PCA and AHP tools, considered as arguments, to the classification of major accident risks.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a new managerial method to integrate the environmental dimension in the domino effects (DEs) analysis. Design/methodology/approach The proposed method is a three-step approach: identification of primary hazards in the form of potential events causing the DE, a mixed quantification (deterministic and probabilistic) of the risk of the DEs with a view to its control and capitalizing the results from the BLEVESOFT software as well as those relating to the probability of occurrence of the DEs in the form of a prioritized action plan dedicated to surrounding environments (proximity territory). Findings The primary hazards are technologically manageable at the studied system but are unpredictable if triggered at the environmental subsystem because they are difficult to be managed and often cause panic, which is a form of a very catastrophic DE. Research limitations/implications The research could affect members of the engineering and construction industry, and can be applied in several domains since it studies the DE phenomenon. which is a common problem especially in industrials plants. Practical implications The proposal method is applied in an industrial terminal in Algeria. Originality/value This paper presents an exploratory study of using a new managerial method that aims to combine the potentialities of geomatic sciences that allow the spatial representation of nearby territories to assess the severity of DEs through a deterministic approach, and the modeling of DEs as well as their analysis by a probabilistic approach.

Using a risk matrix for Risk mapping constitutes the basis of risk management strategy. It aims to classify the identified risks with regards to their management and control. This risk classification, which is based on the frequency and the severity dimensions, is often carried out according to a procedure founded on experts’ judgments. In order to overcome the subjectivity bias of this classification, this paper presents the contribution of the Principal Components Analysis (PCA) method: an exploratory method for graphing risks based on factors that allow a better visualized classification of scenarios accidents. Still, the commonly encountered problem in the data classified by the PCA method resides in the main factors of classification; we judged useful to frame these letters by an algebraic formulation to make an improvement of this classification possible. The obtained results show that the suggested method is a promising alternative to solve the recurring problems of risk matrices, notably in accident scenarios’ classification.