In my (admittedly limited) experience with managed risks (hospital staff dealing with infected patients and rock climbing being the two biggies, I guess), I'm not sure that what gets interpreted as macho attitudes is a flippant dismissal of risk. I think it's a much more complex interplay including elements of having to re-assure others that even though they may be scared, the situation is under control, as well as playing the same mind game with yourself.