Assessment of Occupational Risk Using Multi-Criteria Fuzzy AHP Methodology in a University Laboratory

Academic laboratories operate in diverse fields. However, they expose individuals to occupational risks. To ensure social and economic sustainability, organizations must assess these risks. Accident prevention reduces injuries and financial losses. This study aims to structure an occupational risk assessment process in a university chemical laboratory in Brazil using the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP). The methodology consists of identifying risks and applying the FAHP with linguistic variables to evaluate and prioritize them. Fifteen hazard sources were identified. In the risk assessment phase, the “Chemical Risk” criterion was given the highest priority, accounting for 54%, followed by “Accident Risk” at 26%, “Physical Risk” at 13%, and “Ergonomic risk” at 7%. This study contributes to applying a novel scientific method that enables low-cost risk assessment, reducing the need for significant investments in technology or specialized consultancy services. Furthermore, the research suggests applying this technique to different economic sectors, broadening the applicability of FAHP in occupational risk assessment.