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The Use of Mental Models in Chemical Risk Protection: Developing a Generic Workplace Methodology

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  • Patrick Cox
  • Jörg Niewöhner
  • Nick Pidgeon
  • Simon Gerrard
  • Baruch Fischhoff
  • Donna Riley

Abstract

We adopted a comparative approach to evaluate and extend a generic methodology to analyze the different sets of beliefs held about chemical hazards in the workplace. Our study mapped existing knowledge structures about the risks associated with the use of perchloroethylene and rosin‐based solder flux in differing workplaces. “Influence diagrams” were used to represent beliefs held by chemical experts; “user models” were developed from data elicited from open‐ended interviews with the workplace users of the chemicals. The juxtaposition of expert and user understandings of chemical risks enabled us to identify knowledge gaps and misunderstandings and to reinforce appropriate sets of safety beliefs and behavior relevant to chemical risk communications. By designing safety information to be more relevant to the workplace context of users, we believe that employers and employees may gain improved knowledge about chemical hazards in the workplace, such that better chemical risk management, self‐protection, and informed decision making develop over time.

Suggested Citation

  • Patrick Cox & Jörg Niewöhner & Nick Pidgeon & Simon Gerrard & Baruch Fischhoff & Donna Riley, 2003. "The Use of Mental Models in Chemical Risk Protection: Developing a Generic Workplace Methodology," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 23(2), pages 311-324, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:riskan:v:23:y:2003:i:2:p:311-324
    DOI: 10.1111/1539-6924.00311
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. C. L. Smith & E. Borgonovo, 2007. "Decision Making During Nuclear Power Plant Incidents—A New Approach to the Evaluation of Precursor Events," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(4), pages 1027-1042, August.
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    6. Catherine E. LePrevost & Margaret R. Blanchard & W. Gregory Cope, 2011. "The Pesticide Risk Beliefs Inventory: A Quantitative Instrument for the Assessment of Beliefs about Pesticide Risks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 8(6), pages 1-13, June.
    7. Jörg Niewöhner & Patrick Cox & Simon Gerrard & Nick Pidgeon, 2004. "Evaluating the Efficacy of a Mental Models Approach for Improving Occupational Chemical Risk Protection," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 24(2), pages 349-361, April.
    8. Alex G. Stewart & Paolo Luria & John Reid & Mary Lyons & Richard Jarvis, 2010. "Real or Illusory? Case Studies on the Public Perception of Environmental Health Risks in the North West of England," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-21, March.
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    10. Ramona Hambach & Philippe Mairiaux & Guido François & Lutgart Braeckman & Alain Balsat & Guido Van Hal & Chantal Vandoorne & Paul Van Royen & Marc van Sprundel, 2011. "Workers’ Perception of Chemical Risks: A Focus Group Study," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(2), pages 335-342, February.
    11. Vicki Bier, 2020. "The Role of Decision Analysis in Risk Analysis: A Retrospective," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 40(S1), pages 2207-2217, November.
    12. Parnali Dhar‐Chowdhury & C. Emdad Haque & S. Michelle Driedger, 2016. "Dengue Disease Risk Mental Models in the City of Dhaka, Bangladesh: Juxtapositions and Gaps Between the Public and Experts," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 36(5), pages 874-891, May.
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