Flour Packaging Explosion: The Normalization of Risk
From: Stone House Safety Flour Packaging Explosion: The Normalization of Risk 24 SEPTEMBER Flour Packaging Explosion: The Normalization of Risk In this article, we would like to discuss the concept of ‘normalization of risk’ and then go on to illustrate the concept by looking at a real combustible dust explosion story from Europe: Normalization of risk: The gradual process through which risky/dangerous practices or conditions become acceptable over time Getting used to risky situations because we see them every day Unwittingly accepting unsafe situations because they have not caused an incident before; there has been a lack of “bad outcomes” Accepting some level of risk is a something that we all do; it’s normal! If we did not accept some risk, we would never drive a car, fly on a plane, or even buy a restaurant meal. But what we have to guard against is over-normalization of risk where consequences of ‘failure’ are big. A combustible dust explo...