This 1998 essay explores why complex systems like transportation and healthcare are inherently hazardous despite extensive safety defenses. It argues that catastrophic failures require the convergence of multiple small, latent flaws rather than single-point failures, with most threat trajectories blocked by layered organizational, technical, and human safeguards.
Background
Based on Charles Perrow's 'Normal Accidents' theory, this framework has been foundational in safety engineering and organizational studies for decades, influencing aviation safety, nuclear industry protocols, and healthcare risk management.
- Source
- hackernews
- Published
- Aug 23, 2026 at 11:13 PM
- Score
- 5.0 / 10