Which statement best describes how CRM affects safety risk?

• A. CRM has no impact on risk
• B. Effective CRM lowers risk; CRM breakdown increases risk rapidly
• C. CRM increases risk if used during high workload
• D. CRM only affects crew communication, not risk

Answer: (B)

Crew Resource Management shapes how a crew works together under pressure, influencing safety risk through communication, leadership, decision-making, and workload management. When CRM is practiced well, the team shares information clearly, validates decisions, and coordinates actions, which reduces the chance of errors and lowers safety risk. If CRM breaks down—due to poor communication, unclear roles, or failure to speak up under stress—the likelihood of miscommunication, missed steps, or incorrect actions rises quickly, causing risk to increase rapidly. CRM is not just about talking; it’s about how well the crew integrates all cognitive and interpersonal skills to manage safety-critical tasks, especially when workload is high or the situation is complex.