RISK PERCEPTION AMONG NUCLEAR-POWER-PLANT PERSONNEL - A SURVEY

This study investigated risk perception, well-being, and organizationa l commitment among nuclear power plant personnel. The study group, 428 employees from a nuclear power plant, completed a questionnaire which included the same questions as those in previous surveys on risk perc eption of lay persons and industrial workers. Hazards at work were not seen as a sizable problem by nuclear power plant personnel. The study group estimated the safety of nuclear power plants better and the pos sibility of a serious nuclear accident as more unlikely than the gener al public. Compared to employees in other industrial companies, the ov erall perceived risks at work among plant personnel did not exceed the respective perceptions of the reference groups. Risk-related attitude s did not explain well-being among plant personnel, but the relationsh ip between the perceived probability of a serious nuclear accident at work and organizational commitment yielded to a significant correlatio n: Those plant workers who estimated the likelihood of an accident hig her were less committed to the organization.