Research on the influencing factors in coal mine production safety based on the combination of DEMATEL and ISM

In order to explore the influencing factors of mining safety in China and the related interactive mechanisms, this study calculates the statistics of 58 coal mine death accidents in Shandong, China, during the period from 2010 to 2014, and summarizes the accident causes to establish the index system of mining safety including 22 factors at 6 levels: organizational management, squad leaders, front-line workers, safety culture, underground environment and machines & equipment. Through questionnaire survey, the logical relations among various influencing factors are quantified. Afterwards, by combining DEMATEL and ISM, the influencing degree, influenced degree, centrality and causality of various influencing factors are calculated, and a hierarchical model is established for systematically analyzing the influencing factors of mining safety and the influencing mechanisms. According to the research results, safety supervision and safety philosophy are fundamental for mining safety; rules & regulations, safety climate, safety investment, communication, safety education, operational plan, safety consciousness, knowledge & skills and safety attitude are important factors, while leadership & coordination, individual characteristics, work satisfaction, safety awareness, knowledge & skills, adaptability, equipment & facilities, operating tools, safety device, operating condition, physical environment and geological conditions are direct causes that lead to accidents in coal mines. This study provides theoretical basis and methods to prevent coal mine accidents and improve mining safety.