Personal Risk Tolerance ASSE & NWIBRT Fall seminar

What is Risk Tolerance? A “risk” can be a situation in which it is possible, but not certain, that some undesirable event will occur. “Risk” can also be the probability of an unwanted event, which may or may not occur. “Tolerance” is a willingness to accept a condition, behavior, or action that may or may not result in an undesirable event. Being “risk tolerant” means that you are making a decision under conditions of known possibilities. You are willing to accept specific behaviors or actions that may or may not result in an undesirable event.

Understanding Risky Behavior 1)I almost always stop and think things over before doing something. 1=Highly Agree 2=Agree 3=Neither 4=Disagree 5=Highly Disagree 1 1)I would like to take off on a trip with no preplanned or definite routes or timetables. 1=Highly Disagree 2=Disagree 3=Neither 4=Agree 5=Highly Agree 2 1)It seems like other people are always asking me to apologize for my actions. 1=Highly Disagree 2=Disagree 3=Neither 4=Agree 5=Highly Agree 1 1)When I make a risky decision, I plan for the worst-case scenario. 1=Highly Agree 2=Agree 3=Neither 4=Disagree 5=Highly Disagree 3 1)Before making up my mind, I consider all the advantages and disadvantages. 1=Highly Agree 2=Agree 3=Neither 4=Disagree 5=Highly Disagree 2 1)I often buy things on impulse. 1=Highly Disagree 2=Disagree 3=Neither 4=Agree 5=Highly Agree 211 1)I always try hard to get things done on time. 1=Highly Disagree 2=Disagree 3=Neither 4=Agree 5=Highly Agree 1)I get really annoyed in the “slow line” at the supermarket, airport, etc. 1=Highly Disagree 2=Disagree 3=Neither 4=Agree 5=Highly Agree 1)I often finish other people's sentences because they speak too slowly. 1=Highly Disagree 2=Disagree 3=Neither 4=Agree 5=Highly Agree 1)Drivers who drive the speed limit really annoy me. 1=Highly Disagree 2=Disagree 3=Neither 4=Agree 5=Highly Agree 1)If someone or something is taking too long, I am able to think about other things. 1=Highly Agree 2=Agree 3=Neither 4=Disagree 5=Highly Disagree Total How Likely are YOU to Take a Risk? Understanding Your Individual Risk Taking Tendencies. Your Response Section Total

Understanding Risky Behavior How Likely are YOU to Take a Risk? Scoring Template

Why do we care? Supervisors Supervisors with High tolerance are 2.5 – 4 times more likely to experience injuries on their crews

Understanding Risky Behavior Type A Personality Tendency to be impatient and competitive; often characterized as an ‘over achiever’. Low (6-11) Medium (12-18) High (19-25)

Understanding Risky Behavior Type A Personality High scores: – Impatient; has a severe sense of time urgency. They are always running and can hardly relax. If they sit without doing something useful they may feel guilty. – Are over achievers, they usually get themselves involved in many different unrelated activities, but perform well in them all. – Biggest problem is stress, They are usually overwhelmed by all the tasks they have planned to do. – Is usually competitive and has a high challenging spirit.

Hand Out IMPULSIVENESS: If you score high on impulsiveness, you have a tendency to make snap decisions. While this can be a desirable trait in some respects, leading to an adventurous and fun-filled life (e.g., setting off for a last minute trip to the each after work on a Friday afternoon), it can also lead to risk taking. You may be prone to making quick decisions at work without thinking through the potential risks. Consistently utilizing a strategy of ‘think before you act’, ‘ take two’; or ‘measure twice, cut once’ is especially important for you. TYPE A PERSONALITY: If you scored high on this scale, you tend to be on the go at all times. You may be competitive and love a challenge. You probably even feel a bit guilty when you’re not being productive.. You take on a lot, and usually manage to do it all. However, you may take on more than you can realistically manage, making you prone to take a short-cut or make a mistake. You may have a tendency to push through with a solution, even if it is not optimal or may be hazardous. And you may inadvertently put time pressure on others, and without meaning to, encourage others to take a short-cut or make a mistake. RULE DEFIANCE: If you score high on this scale, you don’t blindly follow rules, but rather will question rules that don’t seem to make sense, often resulting in positive changes. You will use reason in HOW a rule is applied, interpreting it for specific situations rather than ‘doing what the rule says, regardless of the situation’. However, rule defiant people may disregard a rule even when is truly is the most appropriate thing to do, considering their own judgment to be better. Some may even take pleasure in circumventing rules purely for the joy in doing so. For example, they may disregard a rule (even in cases where they know it is the best thing to do) simply because they get tired of being told what to do.

Specific Questions G ive an example of a positive way this behavior influences safety? H ow do we enhance the positive? G ive an example of a negative way this behavior influences safety? H ow do we minimize the negative effects? 9

Scoreboard TRAITLOWMEDIUMHIGH Impulsiveness Type A Personality Rule Defiance Sensation Seeking External Locus of Control Social Desirability Ambitious Independence Conscientiousness Self-Confident Distractibility

Kiewit Corporation 11 Questions?