Risk Management Through Eliminating Root Causes of Hazardous Situations

From Reaction to Prevention: How to Manage Risks Before They Materialize

In modern HSE practice, risk management often comes down to reacting to incidents that have already occurred. However, true efficiency is achieved by working with the bottom of the "incident pyramid" — hazardous situations and actions that have not yet led to injuries. In her presentation, Irina Gnezdilova, Head of the HSE Department at Gazprom Energo, examines a practical approach to risk management through an in-depth analysis of the root causes of hazardous situations.

Using her company as an example, the speaker shows how transitioning from formal elimination of non-conformities to a systemic analysis of causes allows achieving zero injuries (Goal Zero) without significant additional financial investments, using already available data and resources.

Data Sources for Analyzing Hazardous Situations

For effective risk management, it is necessary to collect information about potentially hazardous events from various sources. The company has built a data collection system that includes:

• Results of occupational safety management system (OSMS) audits, where non-conformities are recorded.
• Reviews of video recordings of high-risk work, identifying erroneous actions by personnel.
• Calls to the occupational safety hotline from employees.
• Results of behavioral safety audits (BSA).
• Inspections by corporate control bodies.

Collecting this data is only the first step. The main value lies in the subsequent analysis of each recorded situation.

Root Cause Analysis Methodology

The presentation details the process of working with identified hazardous situations. Instead of superficial elimination (for example, conducting unscheduled briefings), the root cause analysis method is applied, most often the "Five Whys" method or barrier analysis.

This approach requires a certain level of safety culture maturity within the company. It is important to create an atmosphere of trust where employees are ready to openly discuss the causes of shortcomings and conduct critical self-assessment. To successfully implement the tool, the company organized internal training for key employees on root cause analysis methodologies.

Practical Results of Implementing the Approach

The speaker notes several key advantages of detailed work with root causes:

• Systemic view of problems: Analysis shows that the root causes of isolated hazardous situations often repeat (the company has identified about 15-20 basic units).
• Targeted resource allocation: Risk management measures become targeted and aimed at real problems, rather than formal compliance with requirements.
• Training transformation: Identifying knowledge gaps leads to updating training programs, creating practical tasks based on real video recordings of hazardous actions, and conducting targeted explanatory sessions on new regulatory documents.
• Managerial involvement: Managers at all levels are included in the process of eliminating root causes, as they are responsible for the systemic resolution of problems at their facilities.
• Improvement of local regulations: Analysis often reveals gaps or ambiguous wording in internal documents, which initiates their revision.

What you will learn from this webinar:

• How to organize the collection and analysis of data on hazardous situations from various sources?
• Why is managing the bottom of the "incident pyramid" more effective than reacting to incidents?
• How to implement the root cause analysis method when working with non-conformities and micro-injuries?
• How to transform the personnel training system based on identified root causes of hazardous actions?
• How to involve line managers in the process of systemic risk elimination in the workplace?