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Behavioral Bias in Occupational Fatality Risk: Theory, Evidence, and Implications

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Abstract

Behavioral bias in occupational fatality risk is introduced to the theoretical framework of hedonic wages, yielding an endogenous risk ceiling that increases social welfare. Empirically, bias is most evident among workers with no high school diploma, who do not report relatively greater exposure to death in high fatality rate occupations. These findings suggest that extant population estimates of value of statistical life are biased downwards and should be factored by at least 1.35. Under reasonable assumptions, simulations suggest an optimal risk ceiling between 73.0 to 85.9 percentile of the population distribution of occupational fatality risk.

Suggested Citation

  • Perry Singleton, 2021. "Behavioral Bias in Occupational Fatality Risk: Theory, Evidence, and Implications," Center for Policy Research Working Papers 242, Center for Policy Research, Maxwell School, Syracuse University.
    • Handle: RePEc:max:cprwps:242
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    File URL: https://surface.syr.edu/cpr/374/
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J81 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Standards - - - Working Conditions

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