Analysis of occupational health and safety risks in underground caves to be used for tourism purposes: FMEA and hazop application in the case of Gümüşhane Akçakale Cave

This study aims to evaluate the risks from the occupational health and safety (OSH) perspective in Akçakale Cave, which is a natural underground environment, and to systematically analyze the hazard factors specific to the cave environment. The adaptability of risk assessment methods traditionally used in industrial settings to natural environments has been examined; in this context, a holistic assessment was made by using FMEA (Error Types and Effects Analysis) and HAZOP (Hazard and Operability Analysis) methods together.In this respect, the study aims to provide an original contribution to the literature on occupational health and safety practices in caves, which are a natural closed area. In the research, physical, chemical, biological, environmental and geological risk factors in the cave were considered within the framework of air quality, humidity, temperature, gas accumulation, collapse risk and microclimatic variables. In addition, the possible effects of the environmental conditions in the cave on human health were evaluated and the risks were classified according to the parameters of severity, probability and detectability. The findings obtained have shown that the most critical risks in cave environments are collapse potential, gas accumulation, and microclimatic imbalances. The combined use of FMEA and HAZOP methods has ensured that risks are not only identified, but also prioritized and made manageable. As a result, this thesis presents a viable risk assessment model for the development of safe working and research conditions in underground natural environments and proposes a methodological framework for similar studies to be conducted in the future.