Risk perception in the usage of electrically powered gardening tools

Gardeners can be seriously injured when using power tools designed to cut and trim. This poses a public health problem that requires understanding of the risk of using these tools in order to develop sound preventive measures. Epidemiological data provide global descriptions of mechanisms for injury, whereas observational studies provide detailed descriptions of risk in user-product interaction. Both types of information are needed for successful risk communication programs and design improvement of consumer products. This paper describes observational research that investigates how product users perceive possible risks that arise from the usage of their electrically gardening tools. The study aims at achieving a contextualised understanding of risk perception that takes into account the concerns that influence users’ risk perception and subsequent activities. The paper describes the emerging insights on the users’ point of view on risk in using powered gardening tools. It discusses how risk perception research may support risk communication and the design of safe(r) products.