Summary:
The paper illustrates an interdisciplinary contribution (ergonomics, psychology, work psychology,
economics, public management and policy) to the prevention of the risk of power outage. This
exploratory project, still ongoing at the time of submission, aims at analysing the perceptions of this risk
among a set of actors representing public institutions, electricity production and distribution companies,
and citizens. By immersing themselves in a probable blackout scenario during an individual interview,
these people were led to verbalise their experiences and knowledge, as well as the role they would play
and the behaviours they would adopt, if this scenario were to materialise. A content analysis revealed
recurring aspects common to several actors, but also specificities linked to their activity. The results
underline the need to develop exchanges and coordination between these actors, so as to develop a
common operational reference framework for the various institutions involved in the prevention and
management of a power outage.