Determination of the essential activity elements of an asbestos management system in the event of a disaster and their prioritization

Asbestos is now known to be extremely carcinogenic. Nevertheless, there has been a lack of research related to the asbestos management system in the event of a disaster. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the essential activity elements of asbestos management system and their priorities when disasters occur, in order to respond to the potential for asbestos damage during a disaster. As a starter, it extracted 44 activity elements of asbestos management system against disaster through literature review. It then selected 4 essential elements in rough classification, 11 in intermediate classification and 25 in detailed classification via delphi method, and quantified weighted values of the essential activity elements and their priority by using fuzzy analytic hierarchy process technique. 'Prevention activity' in the rough classification, 'law and system improvement' in intermediate classification, and 'related law and legal system improvement' in the detailed classification took the highest priority in each classification with weighted values standing at 0.63, 0.447 and 0.371, respectively. This is a significant study because it quantified the essential elements in asbestos management system by using delphi method and fuzzy analytic hierarchy process technique when there was no quantified asbestos management system anywhere in the world. The essential activity elements identified in the paper could help decision-makers select an appropriate disaster management system (e.g. supply chain management). Also, each quantified factor could provide a new direction for disaster management, and allow for a comprehensive management plan that considers the issue of asbestos. Finally, the weighted value of essential activity elements determined in this study will be an effective indicator for assessing any asbestos management system.