About this Video

• Video Title: Risk Tolerance with Dave Fennell - Interior Safety Conference 2016
• Channel: BC Forest Safety Council
• Speakers: Dave Fennell
• Duration: 00:58:28

Introduction

This video features a presentation by Dave Fennell at the 2016 Interior Safety Conference. The main topic is risk tolerance and how it influences workplace safety. Fennell presents research findings and practical strategies to help mitigate risk-taking behaviors.

Key Takeaways

• Risk tolerance is a separate process from hazard recognition: Decades of safety training focused solely on hazard recognition proved ineffective because risk tolerance is an independent process in the brain.
• Ten influencing factors of risk tolerance: Fennell identifies and explains ten factors that influence a worker's risk tolerance, including overestimating capabilities, familiarity with tasks, underestimating severity of outcomes, voluntary actions, personal experience, cost of non-compliance, overconfidence in equipment, profit motives, and role models.
• Practical tools for managing risk tolerance: The presentation introduces the "Stop and Think" card, a simple tool to increase self-awareness and improve decision-making in high-risk situations. Verbalization of tasks is also highlighted as a technique to maintain focus and reduce complacency.
• Importance of corporate memory and role models: Sharing personal stories of accidents and highlighting the impact of role models on risk-taking behaviors are crucial for fostering a safer workplace culture.
• Risk is inherent in human behavior: The presentation emphasizes that risk-taking is a fundamental aspect of human nature, and strategies should focus on managing this inherent tendency rather than attempting to eliminate it.

The ten influencing factors for risk tolerance, as described by Dave Fennell, are:

1. Overestimating physical capability and experience.
2. Familiarity with the task (complacency).
3. Underestimating the severity of potential outcomes.
4. Voluntary actions and feeling in control.
5. Personal experience with serious outcomes.
6. Cost of non-compliance.
7. Overconfidence in equipment.
8. Potential for profit or gain.
9. Influence of role models.
10. Impact of role models.