Simplifying Cause Analysis

When the challenge is to get to the heart of a problem, you need a simple and efficient cause investigation methodology. And what would make a real difference would be an interactive map to lead you to the answer every time. Chester Rowe’s Simplifying Cause Analysis: A Structured Approach is your instruction book combined with the included downloadable Interactive Cause Analysis Tool you have been looking for. The author intends this book for professionals like you, who have some familiarity with cause analysis projects and are looking for a simple and efficient cause investigation methodology –is a more effective and insightful way of asking “why?” Introducing his multi-function event investigation tool, Chester Rowe says, “There are already many scientific tools to help us understand the physical causes for machine failures; the challenge now is to find a way of investigating human performance failure modes...humans are often a major source of slips, lapses, and mistakes.” Supporting his instructions with diagrams, charts, and real-world examples from companies like yours, the author takes you step-by-step through planning, completing, and documenting your investigation: Chapter 1 gives you a process to determine the level of effort that your investigation should encompass, assess the level of effort needed, and determine the rigor needed. Your investigation needs to be as risk-informed as possible. Chapters 2 through 5 presents a new and innovative structure –rigorous yet intuitively easy to remember – to identify the underlying causes for the event (Cause Road Maps) and conduct the investigation. Chapter 6 introduces conceptual human performance models and tells you how to begin focusing on the human behaviors involved. Chapters 7 and 8 present you with methods, tools, and techniques for carefully interviewing personnel. Chapters 9 through 13 “put the pieces together,” showing you how to analyze and model the event, determine corrective action, and document the investigations and findings. Chester Rowe developed the Cause Road Map over many years to provide a comprehensive taxonomy for every cause investigation. However, fully implementing the Cause Road Map requires the use of other tools to organize, analyze, and present the final results of your investigation. To get you started, Rowe includes his downloadable Interactive Cause Analysis Tool – an easy-to-use tool in familiar spreadsheet format – free with your verified purchase of the book.

This updated and expanded edition discusses many different tools for root cause analysis and presents them in an easy-to-follow structure: a general description of the tool, its purpose and typical applications, the procedure when using it, an example of its use, a checklist to help you make sure if is applied properly, and different forms and templates (that can also be found on an accompanying CD-ROM). The examples used are general enough to apply to any industry or market. The layout of the book has been designed to help speed your learning. Throughout, the authors have split the pages into two halves: the top half presents key concepts using brief language—almost keywords—and the bottom half uses examples to help explain those concepts. A roadmap in the margin of every page simplifies navigating the book and searching for specific topics. The book is suited for employees and managers at any organizational level in any type of industry, including service, manufacturing, and the public sector.

When the challenge is to get to the heart of a problem, you need a simple and efficient cause investigation methodology. And what would make a real difference would be an interactive map to lead you to the answer every time. Chester Rowe’s Simplifying Cause Analysis: A Structured Approach is your instruction book combined with the included downloadable Interactive Cause Analysis Tool you have been looking for. The author intends this book for professionals like you, who have some familiarity with cause analysis projects and are looking for a simple and efficient cause investigation methodology –is a more effective and insightful way of asking “why?” Introducing his multi-function event investigation tool, Chester Rowe says, “There are already many scientific tools to help us understand the physical causes for machine failures; the challenge now is to find a way of investigating human performance failure modes...humans are often a major source of slips, lapses, and mistakes.” Supporting his instructions with diagrams, charts, and real-world examples from companies like yours, the author takes you step-by-step through planning, completing, and documenting your investigation: Chapter 1 gives you a process to determine the level of effort that your investigation should encompass, assess the level of effort needed, and determine the rigor needed. Your investigation needs to be as risk-informed as possible. Chapters 2 through 5 presents a new and innovative structure –rigorous yet intuitively easy to remember – to identify the underlying causes for the event (Cause Road Maps) and conduct the investigation. Chapter 6 introduces conceptual human performance models and tells you how to begin focusing on the human behaviors involved. Chapters 7 and 8 present you with methods, tools, and techniques for carefully interviewing personnel. Chapters 9 through 13 “put the pieces together,” showing you how to analyze and model the event, determine corrective action, and document the investigations and findings. Chester Rowe developed the Cause Road Map over many years to provide a comprehensive taxonomy for every cause investigation. However, fully implementing the Cause Road Map requires the use of other tools to organize, analyze, and present the final results of your investigation. To get you started, Rowe includes his downloadable Interactive Cause Analysis Tool – an easy-to-use tool in familiar spreadsheet format – free with your verified purchase of the book.

This book provides a Root Cause Analysis methodology for process and equipment problems with a unique insight on sources and type of problems that appear in process lines.

Employers Subject To OSHA Recordkeeping Requirements; The Mechanics Of OSHA Recordkeeping; Location, Retention, And Maintenance Of Records; Employer Decision-making; Analysis Of Recordability Of Case; Evaluating The Extent Of Recordable Cases; Employer Obligations For Reporting Occupational Injuries And Illnesses; Access To OSHA Records And Penalties For Failure To Comply With Recordkeeping Obligations; Recordkeeping Summary; General Citations; Glossary of Terms; Sample Recordkeeping And Reporting Forms; Selected Illnesses Which May Result From Exposure In The Work Environment; Participating State Agencies; United States Department Of Labor, Occupational Safety And Health Administration -- Regional Offices; Flow Charts; Summary of Changes; Index.

The answer is root cause analysis, a process that allows you to find the cause of single events/problems in the workplace. The Root Cause Analysis Handbook presents a walkthrough example that illustrates the method and shows how to implement it. Because poor initial problem definition can (and often does) undermine the problem-solving process, Ammerman places special emphasis on this area to build a solid foundation for effective analysis. He also provides guidance on preparing the final report. The need for clear documentation on dealing with problems makes this book especially valuable for quality managers, engineers, safety managers, and teams implementing the ISO or QS standards. Written in a simple, user-friendly style, you will grasp the core concepts quickly and begin applying them to your work.

This book comprehensively outlines what a holistic and effective Root Cause Analysis (RCA) system looks like. From the designing of the support infrastructure to the measuring of effectiveness on the bottom-line, this book provides the blueprint for making it happen. While traditionally RCA is viewed as a reactive tool, the authors will show how it can be applied proactively to prevent failures from occurring in the first place. RCA is a key element of any successful Reliability Engineering initiative. Such initiatives are comprised of equipment, process and human reliability foundations. Human reliability is critical to the success of a true RCA approach. This book explores the anatomy of a failure (undesirable outcome) as well as a potential failure (high risks). Virtually all failures are triggered by errors of omission or commission by human beings. The methodologies described in this book are applicable to any industry because the focus is on the human being's ability to think through why things go wrong, not on the industry or the nature of the failure. This book correlates reliability to safety as well as human performance improvement efforts. The author has provided a healthy balance between theory and practical application, wrapping up with case studies demonstrating bottom-line results. Features Outlines in detail every aspect of an effective RCA ‘system’ Displays appreciation for the role of understanding the physics of a failure as well as the human and system’s contribution Demonstrates the role of RCA in a comprehensive Asset Performance Management (APM) system Explores the correlation between Reliability Engineering and Safety Integrates the concepts of Human Performance Improvement, Learning Teams, and Human Error Reduction approaches into RCA

In order to identify unusual vibration occurrences and assess the general health of the test object, vibration analysis is a procedure that tracks vibration levels and looks into the patterns in vibration signals within a component, piece of equipment, or building. It is frequently conducted on both the frequency spectrum, which is derived by applying Fourier Transform to the time waveform, as well as the time waveforms of the vibration signal directly. Mechanical vibration Analysis should present 50% of any condition monitoring program. This book include a practical guide to vibration analysis to prepare practitioners for levels I II & III to become certified analyst. Numerous examples with photos are included to present how to detect different types of equipment and assets failure include: bearing, shafts misalignment, unbalance, rotor problems, electric motors and more using spectrum analysis technique.