The hazard of concealing risk

Abstract

This study argues that concealing information can create risk, contributing to disasters’ occurrence, severity, and hindering rescue and recovery efforts. It presents a model of the factors causing or contributing to risk concealment and applies it to various disasters, such as the Three Mile Island and Ufa train incidents. It asserts that risk concealment can make preparation brittle and worsen the aftermath. In some situations, risk concealment may go unnoticed because there is no disaster that invites a thorough investigation. The study emphasizes the importance of proper information hazard management strategies and considering the risk cost of not sharing information. – AI-generated abstract.