Environmental impact assessment based on group decision-making methods in mining projects

Mining operations usually comprise a spread spectrum of environmental challenges, which are often unique to each mine site. This is due to the fact that mining activities, directly or indirectly, have an adverse impact on environment and ecology. For this reason, the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process has been developed for evaluation of the possible impact of mine development and operations on the environment, including the natural, social and economic aspects. In this article, an EIA methodology based on analytic network process and fuzzy simple additive weight (SAW) is proposed to formulate the environmental risks pertaining to mining projects. In the system of the proposed model, the importance weights are calculated by an ANP process. Then, fuzzy SAW is employed to evaluate the preference ratings of the alternatives. The merit of using fuzzy logic is to handle the inherent uncertainty in modelling an EIA problem by simplifying the sophisticated structure of the problem under consideration. The proposed model is utilised to assess the environmental impact generated by zinc and lead mining projects located in Zanjan, Iran to shape the future industrial and mining structure of the region. Finally, the environmental impacts are ranked from the most to the least risky

Introducing a combined pattern to empower risk assessment knowledge of safety, health and environment in health care systems

Background: Knowledge management is the process of using knowledge to achieve intended purposes. Since there are extremely high health, safety and environmental risks in healthcare system, knowledge management not only helps the patient health, but also improves the health and safety of healthcare workers through using proper information and experiences. Methods: In this study, a questionnaire with 11 key questions was developed, Then for the evaluation of validity and consistency of the primarily questionnaire, Inter Rate Agreement and Cronbach α coefficient were used. Finally based on information collected, data was done by the binominal test with SPSS-22 software. Results: The relevancy (92.7%) and clarity (91.8%) were found to be acceptable, the questionnaire was internally consistent (α=0.7) and the results of binominal test showed that all questions were accepted (up to 75% for each) by the experts. Conclusion: Although knowledge management is a new area in our country, it is important applying new and beneficial patterns in various aspects of activities like HSE management. Based on obtained results, in can be concluded that the introduced questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool for using in workplace processes

Analysis of the Death-Leading Accident in Working with Boom Reclaimer Device using the Tripod beta and SCAT Combined Method in a Steel Company

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to combine the two methods of Tripod beta and SCAT to analyze the accidents, explain their leading details, and track the roots of events at the depth of organizational layers. Methods: This analytical-descriptive study was carried out in one of the steel companies in Iran. To conduct the study, we analyzed one of the death- leading events using the combination of SCAT and Tripod methods. We investigated the relationship between variables and analyzed the intermediate and root causes of the event by Tripod beta method.  Moreover, we proposed some control measures in the SCAT cause and effect table. The information achieved from the questionnaire and effects of the accidents' causes were studied and rated using the chi-square test and Friedman test, respectively. Results: The most important direct cause of the accident was "removal of bucket wheel (in the Boom Claimer device) from the shaft". The most important intermediary cause of the event was "lack of an appropriate immune system at the time of balance weight release". The most important rudimentary cause of the event was "inappropriate location of the device cabin in the original design". Furthermore, the most important control measure was “using harvesting equipment with new design". Conclusion: According to the statistical tests, we found a systematic connection between root causes and intermediate causes of the incident. Moreover, we observed that the effect of root causes and intermediary causes were not similar regarding the accident

Assessment of Concentration and the Annual Effective Dose of Radon Gas in Imam Hospital Indoor Air

Introduction and purpose: Exposure to natural sources of radiation, especially radon and its short-term products, is an important issue around the world. Radon exposure causes lung cancer in humans. Therefore, the aim of this study was to measure the concentration of radon gas and its annual effective dose in Imam Hospital of Tehran, Iran and to compare its concentrations with the recommended standards. Methods: Radon levels and meteorological parameters (temperature, pressure, and moisture) were measured in different levels and in four seasons, using Radstar and Lutron Electronic devices, respectively, during June 2014-June 2015. The collected data were analyzed through SPSS 18. Annual effective dose was calculated, using the equation for annual effective dose introduced by Scientific Committee of the United Nations. Results: The highest concentration of radon and annual effective dose were observed in the winter, which were 82/15 Bq/m3 and0/48 ms/y, respectively. Furthermore, concerning the various levels, the highest concentration was observed in the lowest level (56/1 Bq/m3).Conclusion: The results of the current study demonstrated that radon concentration was lower than the standards set by Environmental Protection Agency and World Health Organization. Regarding this, there are not concerns about the possible dangers of radon gas activities for the personnel and patients of the hospital.&nbsp

Areal location of hazardous atmospheres simulation on toxic chemical release: A scenario-based case study from Ray, Iran

Background and aim: Chemical accidents cause significant danger for residents living close to chemical facilities. For this reason, this study assessed the impacts of a simulated chemical accident on surrounding residents in the city of Ray, Iran. Methods: In this scenario-based case study in 2015, the Areal Location of Hazardous Atmospheres (ALOHA) model was applied to simulate a toxic chemical release from a chlorine warehouse in Shourabad, Ray, Iran. The population of the area was calculated based on the latest census in Iran, 2011. The atmospheric variables included were wind speed, air temperature, and relative humidity. We also included data on pollution source such as diameter, length and volume, and condition of chemicals. The simulation was repeated for each seasonal period. The simulated threat zones were mapped using Geographical Information System. The percentage of residents sustaining injuries and death was calculated using probit. Results: The maximum and minimum simulated threat zones by chlorine release are during summer and winter at 8.8 and 6.4 kilometers respectively. The total affected population was estimated at approximately 30,000 people. The greater percent of injuries and death was estimated to occur in the winter and autumn, compared to summer and spring, because of greater climatic instability. The number of individuals affected by chlorine release in the spring, summer, autumn and winter at 8.3, 8.8, 7.6 and 6.4 kilometers, are estimated at 22,500, 25,000, 28,100 and 27,500, respectively. Populations located in hot and warm zones of toxic chemical releases should have access to medical resources. Conclusions: The results showed that relevant factors impact human vulnerability, and these should be examined to mitigate the harmful consequences of chemical accidents. Establishing a multi-level Emergency Response Program is also recommended in the area under stud

Developing an index model for flood risk assessment in the western coastal region of Mazandaran, Iran

This paper represents an index model developed for the assessment of risk caused by river floods. The main purpose of this model is to evaluate the flood risk in the western coastal region of Mazandaran Province/Iran. The model assesses the risk at triple components, i.e. the flood occurrence probability, vulnerability and consequences, through identification and evaluation of effective criteria categorized into seven indexes (environmental, technical, economic, social, depth, population and sensitivity ones) that are involved in all stages of flooding (source, pathway and receptor). The flood risk in the developed model is defined by a dimensionless magnitude called as risk score between 0 and 100 for each zone of the area under assessment by calculating and combining of two newly defined factors: occurrence and vulnerability factor and impact factor. The model was applied in a case study, the Nowshahr flood in 2012. The results showed that: (i) the flood risk zoning was compared with observed data for aspect of the damages, and general agreement between them was obtained; (ii) for urban zones, which surrounded by two rivers, would easily be in critical condition and rescue operations face difficulties; and (iii) it is necessary to review the location of the emergency services, according the flood risk zoning