Towards a rigorous equation‐oriented technique for sustainable manufacturing safety programme

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to employ a system dynamics approach to develop a mathematical model for managing magnitude and risk factors of injuries in a manufacturing industry. This is to provide the decision makers with a systemic‐strategy to capture the transition of industries, especially manufacturing, into world‐class safe workplaces.

Design/methodology/approach

An accident investigation register was administered to capture needed data to estimate the model parameters and identify risk factors of injuries. The principle of system dynamics (SD) was employed to identify the relevant safety‐related components and their interrelationships. Applying the concept of causality analysis, causal loop and SD flow diagrams indicating how prevention activities may eliminate hazardous conditions were delineated and a mathematical model to predict the main variables involved in manufacturing safety programme was formulated.

Findings

The validity of the model was demonstrated using the observed data from accident investigation and register review; and a satisfactory agreement was found between the observed data and the model predictions.

Practical implications

The proposed model's attribute of predicting the probability of injuries or preventions is remarkable and thus, useful for managing sustainable safety control programmes.

Originality/value

This paper presents a manufacturing safety programme using equation‐oriented technique to predict the main variables required for managing magnitude and risk factors of injuries in a manufacturing plant.

Citation

Adewale Ajimotokan, H. (2012), "Towards a rigorous equation‐oriented technique for sustainable manufacturing safety programme", Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Vol. 23 No. 1, pp. 76-86. https://doi.org/10.1108/17410381211196294