Research on the impact of cognitive biases of workers on the subjective assessment of occupational risk

Abstract

Purpose. When assessing occupational risks (OR) of professional activities of employees of the motor transport company (MTC), there is often a problem to determine the probability of a hazardous event and the severity of its consequences under the influence of various cognitive biases. Therefore, there arises an urgent issue of taking into account the cognitive biases and their influence on the assessment of PR. This is achieved by studying the impact of awareness and worldview of employees on the assessment of PR and developing recommendations for reducing cognitive bias in determining the likelihood of a hazardous event. Methodology. The study involved 87 employees of the motor transport company of different ages, experience and level of education, who were interviewed on a specially designed checklist which provides for the ranking of harmful factors that affect the employee when performaning production tasks, taking into account the impact of five cognitive biases on the value the probability of a hazardous event. Findings. According to the results of the study, it can be concluded that motor transport company workers with significant professional experience were most concerned about the intensity and pace of work, as well as the number of repetitive movements, which significantly affected the level of safety when performaning production tasks. Less experienced workers highlighted the intensity of work, the pace of work and the monotony of work and from the point of view of males, the greatest concern was the intensity and monotony of work, in contrast to females who are concerned about the pace of work and uncomfortable posture. It is determined that employees perceive occupational risk more optimistically if they understand that it is controlled. There has also been a deteriorating trend due to a lack of time to conduct a proper analysis of the impact of harmful factors on workers’ health. Originality. Relationship is established between cognitive biases that occur in employees during the assessment of OR with the determination of the probability of a hazardous situation, which increases the probability of errors from 10 to 20 % during professional activities. Practical value. Recommendations are developed to reduce the impact of subjective assessment on the magnitude of PR, which is based on increasing the number of participants with different worldviews, experience, education.

Perceived Risk and External Finance Usage in Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Unveiling the Moderating Influence of Business Age

“…The concept of PR is fundamental to understanding the decision-making process (Grimmelikhuijsen 2023). It is defined as the subjective assessment of the likelihood and severity of adverse consequences resulting from a decision or an action (Zhanbirov et al 2023). It encompasses both uncertainty and potential consequences (Featherman and Pavlou 2003).…”