Basic Elements of Root Cause

• Materials
  • Defective Raw Material
  • Wrong type for job
  • Lack of raw material
• Machine/Equipment
  • Incorrect tool selection
  • Poor maintenance or design
  • Poor equipment or tool placement
  • Defective Equipment or tool
• Environment
  • Orderly workplace
  • Job design or layout of work
  • Surfaces poorly maintained
  • Physical demands of the task
  • Forces of Nature
• Man
  • No or poor management involvement
  • Inattention to task
  • Task hazards not guarded properly
  • Other (horseplay, inattention....)
  • Stress demands
• Methods
  • No or poor procedures
  • Practices are not the same as written procedures
  • Poor communication
• Management System
  • Training or education lacking
  • Poor employee involvement
  • Poor recognition of hazard
  • Previously identified hazards were not eliminated