Introduction / Objectives

Risk perception is very variable among workers and employers- this influence all the behaviors related to the valorization and adoption of measures that promote Occupational Health and Safety. The purpose of this review was to summarize the main data associated with this topic, in order to provide the professionals of this sector with tools more adequate and effective for the achievement of their objectives, since the identification of risk factors/ occupational hazards does not appear to be sufficient in all cases.

Methodology

It is a Review, initiated through a research carried out in June of 2019 in the databases "CINALH plus with full text, Medline with full text, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Methodology Register, Nursing and Allied Health Collection: comprehensive, MedicLatina, Academic Search Ultimate, Science Direct, Web of Science, SCOPUS and RCAAP.

Content

In Psychometric Theory it is mentioned that the Risk Perception depends on several psychological, social and institutional questions and it is quantified; the evaluation of each individual should not be considered an error.

In Cultural Theory it is emphasized that the elements fear different circumstances and assimilate the dangers according to the cultural influence. In fact, it is emphasized here that the identification of Risks is a way of preserving societies and groups; however, this may underestimate individual aspects in the perception of risk.

The Theory of Rewards, in turn, argues that the worker feels less threatened by a Risk Factor that involves some kind of reward.

The concept of locus of control comes from the theory of Social Learning; this will be internal when the individual considers that it is up to him to the orientation/ resolution of a problem; in turn, will be external when it considers that nothing depends on him, but on other factors (such as luck, destiny, god, specialized professionals). Workers with internal locus of control generally consider that Risk results as a consequence of their attitudes. However, it is also described that if this is intense, the employee may have an unrealistic optimism and a sense of being invulnerable. The others (external locus) are generally more pessimistic, aggressive and distrustful, believing that it is not worth struggling because they have no control over Risks.

Finally, in the perspective of Systems Theory, the Organization is considered to be an open system that interacts with the environment, self-regulates and can achieve the same goal through different manners and resources.

Discussion/ Conclusions

Most of the selected papers reported general data regarding Risk Perception or studied specific professional sectors, although sometimes with small samples, in a context of statistical significance. In addition, opposite conclusions have been recorded, although, because of the complexity of the variables involved, both can make sense.

The documents published on the subject do not contain news that have not been intuited by professionals in Occupational Health teams. However, this research allowed us to verify that these empirical notions fit into pre-developed theories, in the areas of Psychology and Sociology, but with many more variables than we initially thought.

Increased Risk Perception enhances the valorization and receptiveness to Occupational Health and Safety issues. However, while Risk Assessment is based on scientific methodology; Risk Perception is based on experience, values, beliefs, personality, locus of control, culture and climate of safety and group influence, for example.

If the Occupational Health professionals are more attentive and skilled in these issues, their performance will be enhanced.

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