Normalizing Deviant Safety Practices Is an Accident Waiting To Happen

In January 1986 a significant and tragic event happened that was completely preventable. The space shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after taking off, killing all seven on board. It didn’t have to happen. In her book The Challenger Launch Decision, sociologist Dr. Diane Vaughn coined the phrase “normalization of deviance.” It refers to why NASA allowed the launch to happen even though there was overwhelming evidence pointing to what would eventually happen.The term “normalization of deviance” means the gradual process through which unacceptable practices or standards become acceptable. As the deviant behavior is repeated without catastrophic results, it becomes the social norm