Page 54 - Root Cause Failure Analysis

Root Cause Failure Analysis Methodology 45

Work Environment
The work environment has a direct impact on the workforce and equipment reliability.
Improper lighting, lack of temperature control, and poor housekeeping are the domi-
nant failure modes within this classification. In some cases, a poor environment is a
symptom rather than the root cause of a problem. For example, supervision, proce-
dures, or management system problems may be the real cause. Make sure that the
evaluation is detailed enough to isolate the true root cause.

Complex Systems

Production systems are becoming more and more complex. As a result, the skill lev-
els of operators and maintenance personnel also must improve to achieve and main-
tain acceptable reliability levels. While the categories included in this section may be
perceived as a viable root cause of a specific investigation, most are a combination of
the system’s complexity and other issues. such as training, employee motivation. and
others. -

Management Systems
Figure 3-14 illustrates the common root causes of management-system problems:
policies and procedures, standards not used, and employee relations. Most of these
potential root causes deal with plant culture and management philosophy. While hard
to isolate, the categories that fall within this group of causes contribute to many of the
problems that will be investigated.

ENGINEERING

& e Complex Systems

Mrker
Interface
Mrk Environment
-<Housekeeping >

Toolslnshuments -*( Cramped spaces)

-+(Contmkr/displays 1

Figure 3-13 Common causes of human engineering problems.