Risk management at hazardous jobs: A new media literacy?

In ۲۰۲۲, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported ۵,۴۸۶ fatal work injuries, reflecting a ۵.۷% increase from ۲۰۲۱. This alarming trend highlights the persistent dangers associated with hazardous occupations, with the fatal work injury rate rising to ۳.۷ fatalities per ۱۰۰,۰۰۰ full-time equivalent (FTE) workers. This article contends that traditional risk management approaches are inadequate to counter this trend and advocates for the integration of media literacy as an essential component of workplace safety. Media literacy equips workers to critically analyze and resist the influence of media narratives, particularly those on visual platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, that glamorize high-risk behaviors. Such narratives can promote unsafe workplace practices by encouraging employees to engage in dangerous activities to showcase exceptional skills. The article argues that corporations in construction sector and other hazardous industries bear the responsibility of organizing media literacy workshops for their employees. These programs can further critical awareness and encourage safer decision-making to help reduce the occurrence of workplace fatalities.

کلیدواژه ها:

Risk Management ، workplace safety ، Hazardous Jobs ، Media Literacy ، Occupational Fatalities