Bridging the Gap Between Risk Perception and Reality

From confined spaces to cutting-edge aircraft, failures to align risk perception with reality can have catastrophic consequences. What steps can close the gap to improve safety outcomes.

• By Dennis Terpin
• Jul 16, 2025

The gap between risk perception and reality refers to the differences between how we perceive the likelihood and severity of a risk compared to the actual risk. This gap can be influenced by a variety of factors to include failure to follow Standard Operating Procedures, improper performance-training, incomplete job safety analysis, or tasks time limitations.  

By understanding the factors that influence our risk perception and understanding the actual risk. It is possible to improve risk assessment and improve decision-making to reduce injuries, fatalities, and exposures. All these below statements come from on-line trainings or OSHA regulations.  

Perception vs. Reality Gap 1 

Which statement is correct about confined spaces? 

1. An oxygen level of 20.5 percent is considered safe for entry, according to OSHA’s regulations. While 19.5 percent oxygen is the absolute minimum for safe entry, 20.5 percent oxygen falls within the safe entry range. 

2.  Based on OSHA guidelines, a confined space is considered to have safe oxygen levels if readings are between 20.8-21 percent, while a space with readings of less than 19.5 percent is oxygen deficient.  

3. OSHA dictates that the minimum “safe level” of oxygen in a confined space is 19.5 percent, while the maximum “safe level” of oxygen in a confined space is 23.5 percent. 

Answer A is wrong while C is misleading, the correct answer is B. Reducing the Gap Between Risk Perception and Really would alert you to the fact that some contaminations are undetectable on your meter depends on the sensors installed. This unknown contamination could be up to 4,000 ppm.  

Perception vs. Reality Gap 2 

List the factors that must be considered when using atmospheric monitoring a 20-foot-deep confined space:  

1. When using atmospheric monitoring in a 20-foot-deep confined space, several factors need consideration. This includes testing for oxygen levels, flammable gases, and toxic air contaminants before entry, and continuous monitoring while inside the space. 

2. Test the atmosphere in the following order: (1) for oxygen, (2) for combustible gases, and then (3) for toxic gases and vapors.2 The testing results -- the actual test concentrations must be recorded on the permit near the levels identified for safe entry. 

3. Procedures for Atmospheric Testing in Confined Spaces Atmospheric testing is required for two distinct purposes: evaluation of the hazards of the permit space and verification that acceptable conditions exist for entry into that space. To accomplish this we must have a working knowledge of the following factors: Calibrating, Bump testing, Fresh Air Calibration, Duration of Testing, for each test required on the permit, you must allow enough time for the air from the space to be drawn into the equipment (seconds per foot) and for the sensor (or other detection device) to react to the chemical if it is present. This is considered the “minimum response time,” Testing conditions in spaces that may have layered atmospheres for these spaces, testing must be done in the area surrounding the worker, which is considered four (4) feet in the direction of travel and to each side. 

Answer A and B are out of date generic answers. Answer C is correct and has proven that an elevated level of expertise is need when operating on any life safety monitoring device. Do you think that if the time to complete an activity is less than the time it takes to fill out an entry permit, the permit is not done. 

Perception vs. Reality Gap 3 

Which definition best explains the hazards of working with flammable and combustible liquids: 

1. Flammable liquids ignite easily at normal temperatures, while combustible liquids require a higher temperature (flash point) to ignite. Flammable liquids have flash points below 100°F (37.8°C), and combustible liquids have flash points at or above 100°F. 

2. The OSHA Laboratory Standard defines a flammable liquid as any liquid having a flashpoint below 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C), except any mixture having components with flashpoints of 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C) or higher, the total of which make up 99 percent or more of the total volume of the mixture. This Standard defines a combustible liquid as any liquid having a flashpoint at or above 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C), but below 200 degrees F (93.3 degrees C), except any mixture having components with flashpoints of 200 degrees F (93.3 degrees C), or higher, the total volume of which make up 99 percent or more of the total volume of the mixture. 

3. Flammable liquids ignite easily at normal temperatures, while combustible liquids require a higher temperature (flash point) to ignite. Flammable liquids have flash points below 100°F (37.8°C), and combustible liquids have flash points at or above 100°F. Combustible liquids can behave like flammable liquids when released under pressure and Flammable and Combustible liquids may be toxic before reaching their Lower Flammable Limits. 

All three answers are technically correct. Answer C is the best answer alerting us other possible hazards when working with these materials. 

Perception vs. Reality Gap 4 

Which type of Laboratory inspections best assess the hazards of any laboratory operations. 

1. During inspections, the focus is identifying and correcting regulatory compliance issues, safety concerns and any other issues that may affect safety and health along with granting activities. 

2. Operational laboratory inspections are conducted to ensure a safe and compliant work environment by identifying potential hazards and ensuring adherence to regulatory standards. These inspections involve reviewing procedures, observing operations, and evaluating work procedures. 

3. The first step of the lab inspection is defining the scope. Identify which buildings and labs will be included in the inspection. Gather as much information as you can, such as: The type of activities taking place in the lab; an overview of the hazardous materials and equipment; lab safety manual, SOPs, and emergency procedures; and previous inspection reports, including outstanding issues.  

All three are good answers. The main point is that the laboratory inspections process should review specific programs and safe work practices. Can you conduct a laboratory inspection evaluating safe work practices and operational hazards when the laboratory is non-operational? 

When evaluating a work activity remember this process. All activities (tasks) have associated hazards. These hazards need to be evaluated to see if the proper safeguards are in place. If not, additional safeguards are necessary before the start of work activities. Fill those gaps with knowledge, performance-based training and a strong safety culture. Performance-based training focuses on developing specific skills based on safe work practices which leads to improved increase in skill performance in any workplace. It emphasizes practical application and measurable outcomes, ensuring that performance-based training based on organizational goals and individual adult learning needs. 

Two Real-World Examples 

Bridging these gaps in risk perception and reality is crucial not only for traditional confined space and laboratory hazards but also for emerging technologies and new safety tools. One area that highlights a significant and often overlooked gap is the use of electric vehicle (EV) fire blankets. While these blankets are designed to control fires involving lithium-ion batteries, they introduce unique safety and health concerns that must be understood and mitigated to protect responders and bystanders effectively: 

1. While the flaming was eliminated, battery thermal runaway propagation continued after blanket deployment, which resulted in the continued release and accumulation of flammable battery gases into the volume under the blanket. 

2. An Accumulation of flammable gases under the blankets presented an explosion risk to firefighters operating near the vehicle. 

3. The risk of an explosion can be increased when reintroducing air into an oxygen-depleted accumulation of unburned flammable battery gases 

Bridging gaps in risk perception and reality can also impact large-scale events. The June 2025 crash of Air India Flight 171 highlights this. The Air India crash provides a tragic example of how failures in recognizing or addressing real hazards can lead to mass casualties even in advanced systems: 

1. This was the first fatal accident involving the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the world’s first major commercial airliner built with a majority-carbon airframe, resulting in a total loss of the hull and 241 fatalities on board. 

2. In their work, investigators will likely uncover whether gaps in risk perception, such as unrecognized hazards, incomplete understanding of emergency procedures, or inadequate performance-based training, contributed to the dual engine failure and inability to recover the aircraft. Moreover, that work will also yield whether such a gap existed in relation to the airframe’s materials. 

3. The crash highlights the critical importance of ensuring thorough hazard evaluation, continuous training, and strict adherence to safety procedures, especially when new technologies or materials like carbon-fiber composites are introduced into safety-critical environments. 

I’ll be discussing these concepts in further detail in an Aug. 7 webinar on Emergency Response & Preparedness that I’ll be presenting for Occupational Health & Safety. I encourage you to register here.

By closing the gap between risk perception and reality, we can better protect workers, responders, and the public from both familiar and emerging hazards. A strong commitment to hazard awareness, thorough evaluation, and performance-based training is essential to ensure safety across every industry. 

This article originally appeared in the July/August 2025 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.