The social construction of risk in a rural community: Responses of local residents to the 1990 Hagersville (Ontario) tire fire

Journal Article · Tue Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1993 · Risk Analysis; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1539-6924.1993.tb01080.x· OSTI ID:6282301

Eyles, J; Taylor, S M; Baxter, J; Sider, D; Willms, D ^[1]

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1. McMaster Univ., Hamilton, Ontario (Canada)

This paper presents the findings of research relating to the 1990 Hagersville (Ontario) tire fire. After reviewing the literature on risk and risk perception, it begins by describing the event as well as the community in which it occurred. The reasons for adopting a qualitative research design are then established practical, conceptual, and methodological. The residents' accounts of the fire, evacuation, and aftermath in terms of concerns, anxieties, and responses are described. Five themes emerge: economic, community, health, environmental, and governance. The paper concludes by putting forward a case study-derived model of risk appraisal and management, and by relating the findings to policy issues. 48 refs., 1 fig.

• OSTI ID: 6282301
• Journal Information: Risk Analysis; (United States), Vol. 13:3; ISSN 0272-4332
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
RISK ASSESSMENT
SOCIOLOGY
RURAL POPULATIONS
PUBLIC OPINION
ATTITUDES
FIRES
HAZARDS
ONTARIO
PUBLIC ANXIETY
PUBLIC HEALTH
CANADA
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
HUMAN POPULATIONS
NORTH AMERICA
POPULATIONS
290202* - Energy Planning & Policy- Sociology- (1992-)
290300 - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
Health
& Safety
550100 - Behavioral Biology