Conducting a Root Cause Analysis for Workplace Safety

Root Cause Analysis is a critical process in maintaining workplace safety and efficiency. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the root cause of an incident is defined as “a fundamental, underlying, system-related reason why an incident occurred that identifies one or more correctable system failures.” At Industry Health Solutions, our injury prevention specialists help employers identify and resolve the root causes of incidents, enabling employees to work safely and focus on maintaining productive operations.

The Key Questions in Root Cause Analysis

When conducting a Root Cause Analysis, several essential questions should be asked to uncover the underlying issues:

• Who? – Who was involved in the incident? This can help identify if there were human errors or specific personnel issues.
• What? – What exactly happened? Understanding the sequence of events is crucial.
• When? – When did the incident occur? Timing can often play a critical role in understanding the context of the incident.
• Where? – Where did the incident take place? The location can provide clues about environmental factors that contributed to the problem.
• Why? – This is the most critical question. Why did the incident happen? Asking “why” repeatedly can help drill down to the root cause.

By systematically addressing these questions, one or more root causes can typically be identified. In an industrial setting, common root causes include issues with workstation setup, tool-related problems, rotational issues, product defects, technique errors, staffing problems, the range of motion limitations, production mount/speed, and inadequate training.

Implementing Solutions to Root Causes

Although determining the root cause of an incident may be completed, the work is not finished. The next step is to develop and implement a solution to eliminate the root cause. If the root cause is not adequately addressed, or sustainably addressed, the problem is likely to reoccur. Implementing a solution can come with its own set of challenges. Potential roadblocks include pushback from employees, issues with cooperation, the length of time required to implement the solution, and the associated costs. Therefore, it is crucial to focus on creating a realistic and achievable solution. Time should not be wasted on factors that cannot be changed, such as an employee’s build or personal life stresses.

IHS offers comprehensive onsite services which assist in the understanding and sustainability of programs to maintain solutions. Services include auditing and objective data gathering to continue assessing the progress of solutions and identify the need to reassess in real time.

Best Practices for Creating Solutions

When developing a solution for a root cause, there are several best practices that should be considered:

• Avoid Blame: Blaming the employee or supervisor is counterproductive. The goal is to improve the system.
• Keep an Open Mind: The first solution that comes to mind may not always be the correct one.
• Be Willing to Compromise: Sometimes, the ideal solution may not be feasible. In such cases, finding a compromise that addresses the root cause while remaining practical is critical for acceptance.
• Ask for Help: If you encounter roadblocks or confusion, don’t hesitate to seek assistance. Collaboration can often lead to better solutions.
• Never Ignore the Root Cause: Ignoring the root cause of a problem will only lead to recurring issues.

Conclusion

Industry Health Solutions’ injury prevention teams are specially trained to use Root Cause Analysis as a powerful tool for identifying and resolving underlying issues in the workplace when it comes to both hard to identify illnesses and injuries. By asking the right questions, utilizing their specialized skills as clinicians, identifying the root cause, and implementing a realistic solution, IHS staff can assist in proactively preventing incidents from occurring. Onsite specialists work closely with supervisors and employees at the workplace to ensure that the solution is effective and sustainable. IHS’s mission is to assist industrial employers create and maintain safer, more efficient, and more productive work environments.