Application of hybrid Shannon’s entropy – PROMEHTEE methods in weighing and prioritizing industrial noise control measures

Abstract

There are various strategies to prevent and control of noise exposure in occupational settings. This study was aimed to use Shannon’s entropy – PROMEHTEE hybrid model for weighing and prioritizing noise control solutions in an oil refinery. At first, the sound pressure levels were measured based on the recommended standard of ISO 9612. Next, criteria and noise control strategies were determined using the Delphi technique. In the third stage, the weights of the criteria were computed using Shannon’s entropy method and in the last stage, the solutions were prioritized by the PROMEHTEE method. Based on the results of Shannon’s entropy method, criteria in the order of priority included executive cost (0.2710), noise reduction efficiency (0.2531), feasibility (0.2435), safety (0.1120), possible interference with other processes (0.1107) and up-to-datedness of the methods (0.091). Also, based on the results of the PROMEHTEE method, the best solutions were construction of acoustic enclosures for people exposed to noise with a weight of 0.5476, and Modification or change of the work process with a weight of −0.6905, respectively. Therefore, the Shannon’s entropy – PROMEHTEE hybrid method can be used as a credible scientific tool to select the most appropriate noise control solution in the industries.

Keywords:

• Noise
• industry
• Shannon’s entropy
• PROMEHTEE
• Delphi Technique

Acknowledgment

The authors express their sincere gratitude to staff members of the Catalytic Converting Unit and the experts who cooperated in the process of conducting this research.

Ethical issues

The study protocols were approved by the Ethics Committee of Behbahan University of Medical Sciences, Behbahan, Iran (Ethical code: IR.BEH.REC.1397.021).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Authors’ contributions

All authors contributed and were involved in the problem suggestion, experiments design, data collection, and manuscript approval.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mojtaba Haghighat

Mojtaba haghighat currently works at the Department of occupational health, behbahan University of medical Science. Mojtaba does research in occupational health and ergonomics.

Saeid Yazdanirad

Saeid Yazdanirad is an Assistant Professor of occupational health at the Department of occupational health (Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences). He received his Ph.D. in occupational health from Tehran university of medical sciencess in 2020. During his studies, Dr. yazdani worked on several research topics including noise control, human factors and ergonomics, heat stress, and safety.

Mohammad Faridan

Mohammad Faridan is an Assistant Professor of occupational health at the Department of Occupational Health and Safety at Work Engineering (Lorestan University of Medical Sciences). Dr faridan research is in noise control and human performance enhancement in both physical and mental domains.

Mahsa Jahadi Naeini

Mahsa Jahadi Naeini currently works at the Department of occupational health Engineering, Isfahan University of medical Sciences. Mahsa does research in heat stress and noise control.

Seyed Mahdi Mousavi

Seyed Mahdi Mousavi currently works at the Department of occupational health Engineering, Tehran University of medical Sciences. Seyed mahdi mousavi worked on several research topics including noise control, human factors and ergonomics, decision making, fuzzy logic and safety.