Analyzing critical success factors for the implementation of safety programs in construction projects using DEMATEL (A Case Study of the Oil and Gas Industry)

Subject Areas : Health, safety and environment

sholeh Escot ¹ , Mahnaz Zarei ²

1 - Department of Health, Safety, and Environmental, Shi.C., Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran
2 -

Received: 2025-05-03 Accepted : 2025-06-16 Published : 2025-06-19

Keywords: Safety Programs, Critical Success Factors (CSFs), Construction Projects, DEMATEL.,

Abstract :

Introduction: Safety is one of the fundamental and vital components in construction projects, especially in high-risk and sensitive industries such as oil and gas, where the occurrence of accidents can have irreparable consequences on human, financial, and environmental resources. The effective implementation of safety programs not only prevents incidents but also improves quality, increases productivity, and reduces project costs. In line with this, the primary objective of the present study is to identify and evaluate the critical success factors (CSFs) in implementing safety programs in construction projects within the oil and gas industry. To achieve this, the Iranian Offshore Engineering and Construction Company was selected as a case study in order to deeply investigate the operational conditions and challenges and to propose scientific and practical solutions for improving safety performance. Materials and Methods: This study is applied in nature and follows a survey-based data collection approach. The research was conducted between July and September 2024. For data collection, a combination of two tools was used: semi-structured interviews and a structured questionnaire. Initially, a systematic literature review was carried out to identify preliminary factors related to safety in construction projects. These factors were then incorporated into a questionnaire and presented to industry experts. Experts were selected through a snowball sampling method—beginning with several professionals with direct experience in the safety domain, who then referred additional experts to participate in the study. The identified factors were subsequently analyzed using the DEMATEL (Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) technique to explore the causal relationships among them. The calculations related to data analysis were also performed using Excel software.
	Results and Discussion: The results of the DEMATEL analysis indicated that among the main identified dimensions, employee participation and safety management were recognized as causal factors, meaning they play a decisive role in influencing other dimensions. In contrast, safety prevention and control systems and safety commitment were identified as effect factors, meaning they are most influenced by the other dimensions. Notably, the findings revealed that safety commitment, with an importance coefficient of 4.177, played a central and crucial role in the success of safety programs and was emphasized as the most important component among other factors. Following that, the safety prevention and control system, safety management, and employee participation ranked next with importance coefficients of 4.154, 3.936, and 3.061, respectively.
Conclusion: This study provides both practical and theoretical insights, emphasizing the importance of organizational commitment to safety and fostering a participative culture among employees. The findings can assist managers, decision-makers, and policymakers in the field of safety in oil and gas construction projects by identifying key intervention points to enhance safety performance, reduce risks, and increase the sustainability of construction activities.

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