Creating Custom Causal Factors Values

The nine standard categories and their standard factors are shown in black text. They can be de-activated, but they can not be modified or deleted.

Custom categories and custom factors are shown in blue text with a green check under the Custom column. The distinction between the standard and custom factors is only shown on this screen. Causal factors display in black text when users see the values in the lookup on the Causal Analysis screen.

You can create categories to organize your causal factors. This makes it easier to locate them. It is also useful when reporting because you often produce reports by category. Deactivating a category removes the category and its factors from the lookup values on the Causal Analysis screen.

The Name, Custom, and Active columns default on the grid display. You can exclude any of these columns while working in the screen. These changes only affect the causal factors, not the categories.

Create Custom Causal Factors

Use Create Category to open a pop-up window that allows you to add a custom category.

Creating a custom causal factor category

You can use the Create Factor button to open a pop-up window that allows you to add a custom causal factor. You can select a category from the drop down list.

The Active check box is checked by default. If you plan to create new categories or factors, you can uncheck the Active check box as you add and later use check the Active check box to make them available.

Modify Causal Factors

Custom causal factors can be modified by selecting the name and making the changes. The changes are automatically saved when you exit the field.

Note: Name changes are reflected throughout the system including incidents and events that have used the category or factor, and reports.

Delete Custom Causal Factors

Use Delete above the grid headings to delete a custom factor or category provided they are not used in an incident or event. Standard classifications cannot be modified or deleted but you can make them inactive by unchecking the Active check box which removes them from the list of classifications on incident and events screens. For custom causal factors that you no longer want available in the lookup on the Causal Analysis screen, uncheck the Active check box. This will not remove it from events where it was used; it will only remove it from the lookup values for future submissions.

Standard Causal Factors

The nine standard causal factor categories and their detailed options are shown below. An Other option is available under each category.

Category	Detail options
Communication	• Poor Work Planning • Unclear Work Assignments • Responsibilities Not Identified	• Management Risk Acceptance • Poor Pre-Job Briefing • Other
Employee	• Inexperienced • Physical Capability • Mental State / Medication • Predisposition to Injury	• Disregard for Rules • Risk Taking • Poor Judgement • Other
Equipment/Tools	• New or Modified Equipment • Information Needs Updating • Defective • Excessive Wear • Poor Design • Not Readily Available • Inadequate Training	• Not Used • Improper Use • Inadequate Maintenance • Lockout - Tag Out Inadequate • Sharp Edges • Other
Human Factors	• Repetitive Motion • Pushing / Pulling in Excess of 500 lbs • Lifting in Excess of 50 lbs • Inadequate Material Handling Devices • Position of People / Equipment	• Labels • Displays • Controls • Other
Management Systems	• Poor Engineering / Design • Inadequate Supervision • Lack of Hazard Recognition • Excessive Workload • Inadequate Safeguards	• Conflicting Demands • Unclear Accountability • Management Risk Acceptance • Lack of Enforcement • Other
Personal Protective Equipment	• Not Used • Not Readily Available • In Poor Condition	• Improper Use • Other
Procedures	• New Process • Infrequent Procedure • Process Chance • No Pre-Start Checkoff • Pre-Start Checkoff Not Used • No Procedure • Procedure Inconvenient	• Procedure not Easily Accessed • Procedure Not Required; Should Be • Error In Procedure • Improper Procedure Used • Ambiguous Instruction • Other
Training	• None Developed • Not Completed • Not Revised • Not Followed • Not Enforced	• Hazards Not Identified • Decided Not to Train • Lack of Understanding • Other
Working Environment	• Ventilation • Illumination • Climate Weather • Noise • Chemicals / Dust • Housekeeping • Congestion	• Obstructions • Slip / Trip Hazards • Fall Hazards • Arrangement / Placement • Cramped Quarters • Other

Permissions

An IMS security permission provides control over the Causal Factors table. Permission is assigned to the IMS Administrator by default. This permission is available only if you have licensed IMS.

Can Create "Causal Factor" Configurable Look-up Values