Measurement for Risk Perception Ability

Abstract

Unsafe behaviors may be aroused by inaccurate risk perception. Rather little is known about the measurement of risk perception ability in the construction industry. Based on the conception of risk perception ability, we proposed a measurement of risk perception ability, which conducted a questionnaire and a behavioral experiment. The specific measurement included an indicators system proposed to measure risk perception ability, which contained hazard identification degree, hazard identification accuracy, accuracy of the risk evaluation, deviation degree of the expected damage, deviation degree of the probability, and deviation degree of the risk evaluation. Based on the six indicators, the weighing values for each indicator were calculated, and a formula calculating risk perception ability (RPA) was proposed. Then, we applied the measurement to 327 construction professionals, which showed RPA differed from different construction professionals, and managers’ RPA was significantly superior to workers (p=0.000***<0.05). The method can measure construction professionals’ RPA conveniently and easily, which filled the lack of research regarding RPA in construction. Measurement results can help to provide targeted safety training recommendations, which is beneficial to reducing workers’ unsafe behavior and accident rates.