The 5 Whys worksheet.
A worked example, a blank worksheet and an action tracker, for simple to moderate events. For serious ones, use ICAM.
What you get
- A worked exampleA hand laceration on a construction site, taken to a cause in the system.
- A blank worksheetProblem statement, five whys and the cause.
- An action trackerWhat, who and when, for every action.
- Print or PDFOne click; nothing you type is stored.
5 Whys worksheetInvestigatePro 5-Whys worksheet
E
Worked example
A hand laceration while cutting conduit on a construction site.
Why 1: Why did the incident occur?
The angle grinder slipped and contacted the worker’s left hand.
Why 2: Why did the grinder slip?
The conduit was not secured when cutting started. It was held with the free hand instead of clamped.
Why 3: Why was the conduit not clamped?
The right clamping tool was not available at the work area.
Why 4: Why was the clamping tool not available?
The pre-task equipment checklist for cutting work does not include workholding equipment.
Why 5: Why is workholding not on the cutting checklist?
The safe work method statement for cutting was written generically and has never been checked against real site conditions. The equipment list is incomplete at the level of the system.
Actions: update the cutting method statement to include workholding (HSE manager, 14 days); add clamping equipment to the pre-task checklist (site supervisor, 7 days); verify high-risk task procedures in the field on a schedule (HSE manager, 30 days).
1
Problem statement
Be specific: a vague problem produces vague answers.
2
The five whys
Answer each why with what the evidence shows. Mark anything you have not verified.
3
Actions
Every action needs what, who and when.
| Action | Owner | Due date | Remove |
|---|---|---|---|
Six common 5 Whys mistakes.
Each one stops the analysis short of the system.
- Stopping at human error“The operator made a mistake” is never a cause. Ask why the error was possible: what conditions or systems made it likely?
- Guessing instead of evidencingSupport each answer with evidence: documents, physical evidence or witness accounts. Mark speculation and verify it.
- Following only one chainReal events usually have several causes. If one why has several answers, run parallel chains.
- No owners on actions“We will retrain everyone” with no owner is not an action. Every action needs what, who and when.
- Using it for complex events5 Whys suits simple to moderate events. For fatalities, serious injuries or events with many factors, use ICAM.
- Interviewing witnesses togetherGroup interviews produce a shared story, not accurate accounts. Interview witnesses one at a time, as soon as you can.
When 5 Whys is not enough.
For fatalities, high-potential near misses and events with several contributing factors in mining, construction or oil and gas, 5 Whys does not go deep enough. Use ICAM, the Incident Cause Analysis Method.
Investigate the serious ones with the method built in.
InvestigatePro runs ICAM on every case, with a coach that asks the questions this worksheet leaves open.