A Communication–Human Information Processing (C–HIP) approach to warning effectiveness in the workplace

Abstract

Warnings are one of several hazard control methods used to protect employees and property against danger and loss. This article surveys a set of factors known to influence the effectiveness of workplace warnings. The description of empirical research is organized around a communication–human information processing (C–HIP) model. The model begins with a source entity attempting to relay a warning message through one or more media/sensory channels to one or more receivers. At the receiver, processing begins when attention is switched to the warning message and then maintained while information is extracted. Processing continues through the successive stages of comprehension, beliefs and attitudes, motivation, and ends with compliance behaviour. Any of these stages can be a bottleneck that causes processing to stop, diminishing the effectiveness of the warning. The factors that are influential at each stage are described. The C–HIP model provides a structure to systematically examine factors that can cause risk communication to fail and for finding ways to improve risk communication in the workplace.