Risk sources personal behaviors

In the most straightforward risk-based approach, epidemiologic studies have developed exposure-response relationships based on biomarker measurements in hair, blood, urine, or other matrices (e.g., mercury, lead) (see Figure 5-2a). The relationships can be applied directly to new biomonitoring data to determine where on the exposure-response curve any person is. That may facilitate an understanding of risk, but it does not analyze sources of exposure, so other techniques (such as environmental sampling and behavioral surveys) may be needed to assess where the exposure came from. 

Despite all that has been written about the workers behavior being the basic cause of the majority of accidents, the worker is in reality the person with the most knowledge about the workplace, work activities, and workplace risks. The worker is the expert and may have many years of experience doing a particular job, so why not consult him or her about the risks of the job and how to make it safer Perhaps we are so busy trying to fix the worker to prevent the accident that we have overlooked him or her as a source of safety information. A good policy is that if in doubt, ask the expert, and by speaking to the worker you will be speaking to the expert. 

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