Hazard Perception Based on Safety Words and Colors: An Indian Perspective

Globalization and trade among developed and developing countries has increased the need of risk communication at the workplace. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in risk communication and perception in various countries. It looked at hazard perception associated with colors and sa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of occupational safety and ergonomics 2008-01, Vol.14 (4), p.407-416
Main Authors: Borade, Atul B., Bansod, Satish V., Gandhewar, Vivek R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Awareness
Color
hazard perception
India
Internationality
Pilot Projects
safety color
Safety Management - methods
safety words
Terminology as Topic
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Summary:Globalization and trade among developed and developing countries has increased the need of risk communication at the workplace. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in risk communication and perception in various countries. It looked at hazard perception associated with colors and safety words among Indian industry workers. Fifty workers participated in the study focused on hazard rating of 9 safety words and 7 colors. In one part of the study the participants were asked to associate colors with safety words through recalling them from their long-term memory; in another they were asked to associate safety words with given colors. The results showed that certain words and colors implied different hazard rating at the workplace. The rank ordering of safety words and colors varied significantly in different countries. Hence population factors should be taken into consideration when designing standards for hazard communication.
ISSN:1080-3548
2376-9130
DOI:10.1080/10803548.2008.11076777