5-Whys Methodology
5-Whys is a simple and logical method for getting to the root cause of a problem.
Below are resources and tools available to support participants as they work to advance personal and process safety within their organizations. These resources may be filtered by OSA Foundational Area as well as OSA Participant Action. These resources are provided for illustration purposes only and do not amend existing industry standards or establish new standards. Each company should develop its own approach, and sound business, scientific, engineering, and safety judgment should be used in employing the information contained herein.
5-Whys is a simple and logical method for getting to the root cause of a problem.
When conducting investigations, identifying and addressing the obvious factors is relatively straightforward. However, most often there are other latent factors that are often not identified and thus not addressed. These can be related to culture, systems, processes, people, and equipment. When these factors are not identified and addressed, we tend to see incident reoccurrence.
A root cause, simply stated, is defined as a factor that causes a resultant. It is the core issue or the highest-level cause that sets in motion the entire chain of events that ultimately leads to an event.
Learn about types of SIF incidents that may occur under the IOGP Life-Saving Rule Bypassing Safety Controls.
Learn about types of SIF incidents that may occur under the IOGP Life-Saving Rule Line of Fire.
Learn about types of SIF incidents that may occur under the IOGP Life-Saving Rule Confined Space.
Learn about types of SIF incidents that may occur under the IOGP Life-Saving Rule Safety Mechanical Lifting.
Learn about types of SIF incidents that may occur under the IOGP Life-Saving Rule Working at Height.
Learn about types of SIF incidents that may occur under the IOGP Life-Saving Rule Driving.
Learn about types of SIF incidents that may occur under the IOGP Life-Saving Rule Work Authorization.