Examining the OHS of green building construction projects: A hybrid fuzzy-based approach

Abstract

Green buildings (GBs) have been adopted mainly to minimize the negative effects of the design, construction, and building operations on the environment. However, the GB-related activities have been found to be jeopardizing the occupational health and safety (OHS) of related projects, thereby debilitating the safety and health of respective crew members. Despite such vital issues, no study has been conducted yet to investigate the safety issues associated with GB construction projects in developing countries, where the inclination towards the adoption of GB is on the rise. Using this as a point of departure, the present study assesses the safety risks caused by GB projects with the use of a fuzzy-based RAM, through the lenses of the experts in Kazakhstan. The proposed RAM integrates Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) and Fuzzy Best Worst Method (FBWM). The FDM results clearly indicated that sustainable buildings continue to endanger the safety and health of respective workers, while fall from height and overexertion are found to be the leading causes of GB-associated risks using the FBWM. Despite the research limitations, this study prudently assessed the OHS-related risks to the LEED-based (the most widely used certification in the country) projects, and offered a fertile ground for future research to be conducted in developing economy settings. The findings indicated that the construction key players need to pay more attention to the riskiest GB-related hazards by investing their efforts in making the built environment truly sustainable in a not-too-distant future, which can improve the well-being of workers involved.