Modelling risk factors in earthmoving equipment operations on Australian construction sites: a fuzzy DEMATEL approach

Purpose Despite advancements in safety technologies in the construction industry, such as building information modelling (BIM), their impact remains limited due to an insufficient understanding of influential areas of risks and their interconnections. Earthmoving equipment (EE) incidents in Australia underscore ongoing safety challenges. This research develops a model of influential risk factors in earthmoving equipment operations (EEOs) through Rasmussen’s (1997) risk management framework (RMF), uncovering interrelationships to enhance risk identification and support the application of appropriate solutions aligned with the specific system level where each risk originates and evolves. Thus, it paves the way for comprehensive vertical, horizontal and end-to-end integration of technological and managerial solutions across all layers of safety management. Design/methodology/approach A literature review identified seven main categories and 52 sub-risk factors, which were further refined through expert validation via 32 semi-structured interviews and alignment with relevant codes of practice and regulations. The research also applies fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (FDEMATEL) for the first time in the Australian construction context to analyse cause-and-effect relationships of EEO risk factors within Rasmussen’s (1997) framework. This methodology also integrates statistical validation techniques, including corrected item-total correlation and split-half methods within the FDEMATEL framework and sensitivity analysis to ensure response consistency, robustness and reliability, ultimately identifying critical areas for targeted interventions in EEOs’ safety management. Findings The most influential risk factors across the risk management framework were categorized into cause-and-effect groups, identifying influential factors of EEO incidents. This led to the impact relations map (IRM), classifying factors by causal and effect-driven roles, making influential factors the primary focus for technological advancements and managerial strategies. Originality/value To begin with, from the research focus, this study is the first to uncover cause-and-effect relationships of risk factors in the Australian construction context, not only in EEOs but also in broader construction operations. Furthermore, from the research method perspective, a rigorous expert selection approach is embedded in FDEMATEL to ensure robust findings. Ultimately, this shifts the focus of managers and practitioners towards addressing critical dynamic variables, those acting as the Gordian knot within the system, which must be untangled to enable effective safety interventions and informed decision-making in EEOs. These insights strongly support the application of tailored solutions, whether technological (e.g. sensor-based systems, BIM integration and computer vision) or procedural (e.g. regulatory alignment), by aligning interventions with the origin and trajectory of specific risk factors.