← 5 Whys Guide
🔍 Free Template

5 Whys Root Cause Analysis
Worksheet

A structured worksheet for safety professionals. Includes a worked example, blank template, and corrective action tracker.

✓ Printable & digital
✓ Worked example included
✓ Corrective action tracker
✓ Free — no credit card

Get Your Free 5 Whys Worksheet

Enter your details to access the full worksheet — including worked example and corrective action tracker.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Used by 500+ safety professionals.

✅
Your Worksheet Is Ready

Scroll down to access your 5 Whys worksheet and worked example.

Your 5 Whys Worksheet

A worked example followed by a blank worksheet you can fill in or print.

📋 Worked Example

Incident: Worker sustained a hand laceration while cutting conduit on a construction site.

W1
Why did the incident occur?
The angle grinder slipped and contacted the worker's left hand.
W2
Why did the grinder slip?
The conduit wasn't secured when cutting started — it was held with the free hand instead of clamped.
W3
Why wasn't the conduit clamped?
The correct clamping tool wasn't available at the work area.
W4
Why wasn't the clamping tool available?
The pre-task equipment checklist for cutting work doesn't include workholding equipment.
W5
Why is workholding not on the cutting checklist? → ROOT CAUSE
The Safe Work Method Statement for cutting tasks was written generically and has never been reviewed against actual site conditions or task requirements. Equipment needs are incomplete at the system level.

✅ Corrective Actions

  • Review and update SWMS for all cutting tasks to include workholding requirements — HSE Manager — 14 days
  • Add clamping equipment to pre-task checklist for cutting work — Site Supervisor — 7 days
  • SWMS review process: schedule periodic field verification for all high-risk task procedures — HSE Manager — 30 days

📝 Your 5 Whys Worksheet — Fill In or Print

W1
W2
W3
W4
W5

Corrective Actions

ActionOwnerDue Date

5 Common 5 Whys Mistakes

1

Stopping at Human Error

"The operator made a mistake" is never a root cause. Ask why the error was possible — what conditions or systems made it likely?

2

Guessing Instead of Evidencing

Each answer should be supported by evidence — documents, physical evidence, or witness accounts. Mark speculation clearly and verify it.

3

Following Only One Chain

Real problems often have multiple causes. If you find multiple answers to one "why," run parallel chains.

4

No Owners on Actions

"We'll retrain everyone" with no assigned owner is not a corrective action. Every action needs: what, who, and when.

5

Using It for Complex Events

5 Whys is for simple to moderate incidents. For fatalities, serious injuries, or multi-factor events, use ICAM methodology instead.

6

Interviewing Witnesses Together

Group interviews produce consensus stories, not accurate accounts. Always interview witnesses individually, as soon as possible.

When 5 Whys Isn't Enough

For serious incidents — fatalities, high-potential near misses, or events with multiple contributing factors in mining, construction, or oil & gas — 5 Whys alone doesn't go deep enough. You need ICAM (Incident Cause Analysis Method).

Read: The Complete ICAM Investigation Guide →

Investigate More Thoroughly

InvestigatePro combines 5 Whys with full ICAM methodology and AI coaching — guiding your team to find root causes that the worksheet alone might miss.

Book a Demo Book a demo →