The Value of Explicit Hazard and Consequence Warnings for Products with Hidden Hazards

Abstract

Many product warnings provide no bazard or consequence information, and rely on all-encompassing avoidance messages to communicate risk and mitigate hazards. While these avoidance-only warnings may be appropriate when hazards and consequences are obvious, they could be insufficient when the hazards or consequences are not apparent. This study examined the relative effectiveness of avoidance-only warnings versus warnings including hazard identification and explicit consequence information. Ninety-five subjects completed surveys that presented six products and their warnings. Explicit and non-explicit (avoidance-only) warnings were crossed with products having hidden or obvious hazards. The results suggest that for products with hidden hazards, explicit warnings improve understanding of consequence severity and increase perception of risk. Predicted compliance and product avoidance were also measured. The results are presented with a discussion of the relationship between perceived risk and safety behavior.

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