A hybrid exploratory factor analysis – Grey Delphi framework for prioritization in occupational health and safety risks in the textile industry

The textile industry, a significant contributor to national economies, presents inherent occupational health and safety (OHS) challenges due to its complex and hazardous working conditions. Workers frequently encounter risks such as high-speed machinery, exposure to harmful chemicals, excessive dust, and physically demanding tasks. Effective identification and prioritization of these risks are crucial for enhancing workplace safety standards. This research outlines a systematic approach to identify and rank critical OHS risk factors through a hybrid methodology combining Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and the Grey Delphi method. Data were collected from 390 textile workers and subsequently validated by a panel of 12 experts. The EFA process effectively reduced 57 initial OHS indicators

into nine underlying risk categories. Following this, the Grey Delphi analysis prioritized 25 specific risks, highlighting the most critical concerns. The five paramount risks identified include excessive noise from machinery, exposure to endotoxin-containing cotton dust, hazards from unprotected moving machine parts, prolonged working hours without adequate rest, and inconsistent or improper use of personal protective equipment. This study's novelty lies in its integrated quantitative factor reduction and expert consensus approach for comprehensive risk assessment.

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