Risk Communication

Risk Communication
BY
Robin Walker

All Humans have the ability to communicate either through speech or through gestures. Language is the system in which we communicate information and the inability of effective communication causes confusion and delay. (Havland, 1996)
The need to communicate effectively in order to use risk assessment results to educate the nontechnical audiences. This includes the general public, legislators, environmental groups and other risk managers. The ineffectiveness of communication can lead to bad policy decisions and regulatory decisions. (Wiliams, James, & Roberts, 2000) In general people have limited exposure to scientific communication which includes lectures, papers, language and culture of the scientific community. (Moriarty, 1997) When communicating to different groups of people the risk manager needs to tailor his statements to knowledge level of his group. (Rodricks, 2007) Everyone who listens or reads makes up his or her own personal audience and hears and reads everything based on their own personal experience. But every person can be categorized into groups based upon their familiar they are with the subject.
The lay audience’s expertise falls into the realm of general knowledge. They have no specialty knowledge on the subject. It would not be appropriate in a community meeting of laypeople to use specialized acronyms and phrases. Use examples, photographs, diagrams and straights forward graphs. (Moriarty, 1997) In short keep it simple.
An operator is a person who can ‘operate’ or has a very basic understanding about the subject an example of this is a driver’s license which is an operator’s license. Operators only need to know basic maintenance and the rules of the road, but lack more in depth knowledge of the subject. Some technical information can be given. (Moriarty, 1997)
The technician possesses more indebt theoretical knowledge than the operator and can understand a greater level of complexity. A mechanic knows how to work on your vehicle but would not design a computer exponent for the braking system. (Moriarty, 1997)
The expert has an extensive knowledge in the theoretical aspects as well as the ramifications of the subject. Has knowledge of the sophisticated language, culture and is able to decode complicated graphs and charts. (Moriarty, 1997)
The ability of communication effectively to the understanding of your audience is an important tool in Risk communication if you are talking over their heads it can lead to misunderstanding. Which misunderstanding can lead to bad policy decisions and regulatory decisions (Wiliams, James, & Roberts, 2000)

Bibilogerphy

Havland, W. A. (1996). Cultural Anthropopogy (8th edition ed.). Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace College Publishers.
Moriarty, M. F. (1997). Writing Science through Critical Thinking. Boston: jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Rodricks, J. V. (2007). Calculated Risks The toxicity and Human Health Risks of Chemicals in our Environment (2nd Edition ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge university Press.
Wiliams, P. L., James, R. C., & Roberts, S. M. (Eds.). (2000). Principles of Toxicology (2nd Edition ed.). New York: John Wileey & Sons, Inc.