IOSH Managing Safely Practice Test

Which of the following describes a root cause?

1. An effect of poor communication

2. A factor that may cause conditions leading to an undesirable event

3. A minor issue affecting safety

4. Incidents that occur frequently but are trivial

The correct answer is: A factor that may cause conditions leading to an undesirable event

A root cause is fundamentally linked to the primary factor that generates conditions leading to an undesirable event. This understanding is crucial in safety management, as identifying the root cause helps organizations implement effective corrective actions that resolve the underlying issue rather than merely addressing symptoms. For instance, if an unsafe condition arises from inadequate training, the training itself is the root cause that needs to be rectified to improve safety outcomes. The other choices depict aspects of safety that may contribute to incidents but do not define the root cause appropriately. For example, an effect of poor communication (the first option) addresses a result rather than the origin of a problem. A minor issue affecting safety (the third choice) suggests that it is not significant enough to be considered a root cause. Similarly, the last option refers to trivial incidents that happen frequently but do not relate to the primary cause of significant safety concerns. Understanding root causes is a vital part of the continuous improvement process in occupational safety and health, as it enables organizations to target their efforts effectively.