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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Hazards and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2022) | Viewed by 38302

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Mara Lombardi

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Guest Editor

Department of Chemical Engineering Materials Environment (DICMA), Sapienza-University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy
Interests: risk analysis; fire safety engineering (FSE); occupational safety; territorial resilience; sustainable risk management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Fatma El Zahraa Ashour

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Guest Editor

Department of Chemical Engineering, Cairo University, 12613 Giza, Egypt
Interests: biofuel production; environmental and waste recycling; engineering sustainable design

Prof. Dr. Massimo Guarascio

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Guest Editor

Department of Chemical Engineering, Materials, Environment, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, RM, Italy
Interests: risk management; risk modeling; seismic risk; geostatistical modeling
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Dr. Mario Fargnoli

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Guest Editor

Industrial Engineering Courses, Universitas Mercatorum, Piazza Mattei 10, 00186 Rome, Italy
Interests: occupational health and safety (OHS); product service systems (PSS); ecodesign; quality function deployment (QFD); human factors and ergonomics (HFE)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The contents of this Special Issue refer to the main question on “Sustainable Risk Management: How we can manage risks in a responsible manner?”

This subject was selected in response to the uncertainties that make safety decision making very difficult. The possibility of making a wrong decision has particular relevance due to the increasing complexity of all managing aspects characterizing contemporary system. Hence, an approach based on a more holistic perspective allows us to assure a state of resilience and sustainability.

In fact, sustainability and safety risk management are still underestimated issues within the concept of sustainability, although fostering the promotion of safety, health, and workplace welfare play a critical role in sustainable development at individual, organizational and societal levels.

Evidence of the requirement to approach the theme of sustainable risk management is among the difficulties to explain and resolve the problems of health and safety, row materials and power generation.

The hindered uptake of innovative solutions and rigorous standards in many product sectors shall be replaced by responsible networking and sharing of knowledge to technology and management development.

Our scientific community feel a moral obligation to contribute to decision making and to outline policies based on scientific approach. This Special Issue aims to provide a collection of the current advances and cutting-edge approaches in risk management and sustainable safety engineering considering a thorough point of view.

For these reasons, we would like to call on all colleagues to collaborate and engage with this special topic.

Prof. Dr. Mara Lombardi
Prof. Fatma El Zahraa Ashour
Prof. Massimo Guarascio
Dr. Mario Fargnoli
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

safety engineering
sustainable risk management
territorial resilience
environmental sustainable recycling
engineering sustainable design
occupational health and safety
risk management and decision making

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

26 pages, 8555 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Accident Prevention Analysis: Exploring the Intellectual Structure of a Research Field

by Rui Huang, Hui Liu, Hongliang Ma, Yujie Qiang, Kai Pan, Xiaoqing Gou, Xin Wang, Dong Ye, Haining Wang and Adam Glowacz

Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8784; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148784 - 18 Jul 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4988

Abstract

Accident prevention is of great significance in avoiding or reducing all kinds of casualties and economic losses, and is one of the main challenges for social sustainable development. Hence, it has been an active research field for many decades around the world. To master the research status of accident prevention, and explore the knowledge base and hot trends, 1294 papers from the WOS retrieval platform SCIE and SSCI databases from 1990 to 2021 were selected as data samples. Co-occurrence analysis, co-citation analysis, co-authorship analysis, and keyword analysis were performed on the literature on accident prevention research with bibliometric analysis methods. The study showed that the United States ranked first in the number of publications of any country/region and Georgia Inst Technol ranked first in the number of institutional publications. System analysis and accident model establishment, analysis of construction accidents, road accident prevention, and safety culture and safety climate are the knowledge base in the accident prevention studies and the core journals in this field are Safety Science, Accident Analysis and Prevention, Pediatrics, and Reliability Engineering & System Safety. There are four major research hotspots in accident prevention studies: routine accident prevention, model-based research, systems analysis and accident prediction, and occupational safety and public health research. At present, the basic theory and structural system of accident prevention research have been basically established, with many research directions and a wide range of frontier branches. Safety management, public safety, Bayesian networks, and simulation are the research frontiers of accident prevention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Management and Safety Engineering)

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32 pages, 9165 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantifying Effect of Post-Tensioned Bars for Precast Concrete Shear Walls

by Quoc To Bao, Kihak Lee, Sung-Jig Kim and Jiuk Shin

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6141; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106141 - 18 May 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2136

Abstract

A hybrid concrete wall is made up of a traditional reinforced concrete wall with post-tensioned technology. Recent research has shown that post-tensioned (PT) reinforced concrete shear walls have a wide range of advantages when it comes to resisting lateral forces and lateral moments caused by earthquake loading. To explore the PT reinforced concrete wall behavior subjected to seismic load, the concrete models were augmented with various material models, including the KCC, CDP, and Winfrith models for a PT 2D wall under pushover analysis. To ensure that the overall behavior forecast was qualitatively acceptable, the models’ performance was compared to experimental findings. Then, the post-tensioned modeling approach was implemented with the 3D wall in order to predict structural responses of the PT 3D wall. The well-validated finite element models were ultilized to estimate the effects of the post-tensioned bars on lateral resisting capacities of the precast concrete shear wall. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Management and Safety Engineering)

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19 pages, 31178 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Study on the Safety Evaluation of Escape Routes for Vulnerable Populations in Residential Facilities

by Chansol Ahn, Hyeongwoo Kim, Insu Choi and Dongho Rie

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 5998; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14105998 - 15 May 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3056

Abstract

The continued increase in human lifespans is accelerating the aging of the population in most countries. The increase in elderly care facilities corresponds to a relative increase in the number of people who are vulnerable in the context of evacuation. For example, an elderly care hospital is a representative facility for vulnerable populations as regards evacuation, as residents in such a hospital cannot evacuate themselves in the event of a fire. It is therefore necessary for such buildings to formulate detailed evacuation plans that consider the walking situations of their residents in the event of a disaster. In this study, the fire dynamics simulator (FDS) was used to calculate the available safety escape time (ASET)—which is the point at which evacuation is impossible from the ignition time of the fire—for inpatients in nursing hospitals. The required safety escape time (RSET), which is the time required to move to a safe place, was calculated by reflecting a patient’s evacuation speed using Pathfinder. In addition, the evacuation route was simulated with three variables—stairs, elevators, and ramps—along with the movement pattern. The simulations of evacuation performance evaluation based on time analysis showed that there were differences in the number of fatalities depending on the choice of evacuation routes and movement patterns for each disabled group. Evacuation using ramps was confirmed to reduce fatalities from at least 48 to up to 60 people compared to evacuation using stairs or elevators. The usage of ramp evacuation in elderly care hospitals has proved to be superior to other evacuation routes in ensuring the safety of vulnerable persons during fire evacuation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Management and Safety Engineering)

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25 pages, 7695 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Process Model for Cooperative Risk Management in Seaports

by Ayman Nagi and Wolfgang Kersten

Sustainability 2022, 14(3), 1662; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031662 - 31 Jan 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4247

Abstract

Seaports are critical links within supply chains that are often located near residential areas. These seaports can be directly affected by the consequences of operational risk sources and natural disasters such as undeclared dangerous goods and flood, respectively. The diversity and large number of stakeholders at seaports add another level of complexity for risk management that requires a standard approach and clear guidelines. This paper aims to develop a prescriptive process model for cooperative risk management (CoRiMaS) in seaports to enable the stakeholder to manage different sources of risk during risk prevention and response. The prescriptive process model builds on two previous published papers which focused on developing a conceptual framework and a descriptive model based on an ontology for CoRiMaS, respectively. A detailed requirement analysis based on focus groups and a survey study in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) provide important inputs to integrate the required elements into the CoRiMaS prescriptive process model. The model requires an overall input represented by the type of seaport and structure. The prescriptive process model presents all steps and aspects related to stakeholder analysis, risk governance, risk management, and knowledge management. Implications for theory and practice, as well as an agenda for future research, are presented. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Management and Safety Engineering)

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11 pages, 2637 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of Forecasting as an Element of Effective Management in the Field of Improving Occupational Health and Safety in the Steel Industry in Poland

by Tomasz Małysa

Sustainability 2022, 14(3), 1351; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031351 - 25 Jan 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2677

Abstract

(1) Background: Every day, human beings fall victim to accidents. We implement solutions aimed at reducing accidents in everyday life, but we are not able to eliminate all accidents from our life. This article addresses the issue of forecasting accidents at work in the steel industry in Poland. Particular attention is paid to other accidents, given that those events are most often recorded in the sector under analysis. (2) Methods: The process of predicting quantitative data on the number of persons injured in other accidents in 2009–2018 employed Holt’s models: with an additive and multiplicative trend, with the trend smoothing effect in the multiplicative and additive formula. (3) Results: The forecasts prepared on the basis of Holt’s models and the combined model show a decreasing trend in the number of persons injured in other accidents in the steel sector, which is a positive development in the area of occupational safety and health. (4) Conclusions: The number of persons injured in other accidents at work in the steel sector shows a downward trend, which is significant and valid information for managers. The analysis of the results indicated that the combined forecast model best reflects the accidents at work in the steel industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Management and Safety Engineering)

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19 pages, 1980 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Improving Safety Management through Analysis of Near-Miss Reports—A Tanker Ship Case Study

by Nermin Hasanspahić, Srđan Vujičić, Miho Kristić and Mario Mandušić

Sustainability 2022, 14(3), 1094; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031094 - 18 Jan 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5101

Abstract

A near-miss management system (NMMS) is a tool used for improving safety at sea if adequately implemented. Valuable knowledge to improve safety management might be gained by investigating and analysing reported events. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to report each observed near-miss event. Because tankers are generally considered dangerous, but at the same time safe due to stringent requirements, near-miss reports and NMMS policy were collected from one oil tanker ship. Data were pre-processed and analysed. Variables used during analysis were near-miss type, risk level, ship position, and onboard location of near-miss occurrence. Analysis of policy and reports revealed that most near misses occurred on the deck area, but higher-risk-level events were reported in the engine room and navigating bridge. Housekeeping, equipment failure, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and process-/procedure-related events were most common and generally related to lower risk levels. The most frequent corrective actions recorded were implementing safe working practices and PPE. In addition, higher-risk-level events were related to less effective corrective actions. Based on the findings, suggestions for improvements include promoting safe behaviour and adequate PPE usage through additional training, ensuring proper housekeeping, regular maintenance of shipboard equipment and spare parts management, and toolbox meetings and risk assessments that include conclusions of near-miss investigations and analysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Management and Safety Engineering)

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19 pages, 3575 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantitative Analysis of Global Terrorist Attacks Based on the Global Terrorism Database

by Zhongbei Li, Xiangchun Li, Chen Dong, Fanfan Guo, Fan Zhang and Qi Zhang

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 7598; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147598 - 7 Jul 2021

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 9771

Abstract

Terrorist attacks have become a serious source of risk affecting the security of the international community. Using the Global Terrorism Database (GTD), in order to quantitatively study past terrorist attacks and their temporal and spatial evolution the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to classify the degree of damage from terrorist attacks. The various factors influencing terrorist attacks were extracted and represented in three dimensions. Subsequently, using MATLAB for analysis and processing, the grading standards for terrorist attacks were classified into five levels according to the degree of hazard. Based on this grading standard, the top ten terrorist attacks with the highest degree of hazard in the past two decades were listed. Because the characteristics and habits of a terrorist or group exhibit a certain consistency, the K-means cluster analysis method was used to classify terrorists according to region, type of attack, type of target and type of weapon used by the terrorists. Several attacks that might have been committed by the same terrorist organization or individual at different times and in different locations were classified into one category, and the top five categories were selected according to the degree of sabotage inflicted by the organization or individual. Finally, the spatiotemporal evolution of terrorist attacks in the past three years was analyzed, considering the terrorist attack targets and key areas of terrorist attacks. The Middle East, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and Africa were predicted to be the regions that will be most seriously affected by future global terrorist events. The terrorist attacks in Southeast Asia are expected to become more severe, and the scope of terrorist attacks in Africa is expected to widen. Civilians are the targets most at risk for terrorist attacks, and the corresponding risk index is considerably higher than it is for other targets. The results of this research can help individuals and the government to enable a better understanding of terrorism, improve awareness to prevent terrorism and enhance emergency management and rescue, and provide a solid and reliable basis and reference for joint counterterrorism in various countries and regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Management and Safety Engineering)

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14 pages, 24275 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Agricultural Tractor Roll-Over Related Fatalities in Italy: Results from a 12 Years Analysis

by Davide Facchinetti, Stefano Santoro, Lavinia Eleonora Galli and Domenico Pessina

Sustainability 2021, 13(8), 4536; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084536 - 19 Apr 2021

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 4076

Abstract

In Italy, about 160 fatal accidents per year have occurred recently in agriculture, most of them involving agricultural machinery. The most frequent cause of fatal events is the tractor overturning. One of the opportunities to monitor the trend of agricultural tractors fatal overturning is a meticulous search for information on the numerous web portals, at national and local level. In fact, in their information purposes are also included the recording, practically in real time, of significant details about each fatal event, such as the place of the accident, the year, the month and the day of the week of occurring, the victim’s age, gender and nationality, etc. This article is describing the results of the monitoring of fatal tractor overturning accidents in the period of 2008–2019 in Italy. In the 12 years of the survey, 1414 fatal accidents were recorded, most of them occurring in the spring and summer months. The region with the highest cumulative number of fatal events was Tuscany (143). The majority (58.8%) of the victims were over 60, while 71.4% of accidents occurred during field work. Most (57.6%) of the tractors involved in the fatal events did not have rollover protective structures (ROPS), while 19.4% were equipped with a two-post foldable front roll-bar, which, however, was in the lowered position at the time of the accident. In most cases, the tractors involved were obsolete and in poor maintenance conditions, and did not comply with general and specific laws on work safety. To improve the situation, the introduction of the tractor training certificate for the drivers and the periodical inspection for tractors, as well as the issuing of significant financial supports to encourage the replacement of the old models with modern more safe models, are the most effective actions to be put into practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Management and Safety Engineering)

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