Root Cause Types

A Root Cause Type identifies the underlying reason an incident occurred, for example, operator error, or hazardous conditions. The values you enter on this page are used to populate the Root Cause drop-down menu on the Create Incident page.

To open the Root Cause Types page:

  1. Open the Administration Menu page.

  2. Under the INCIDENT ADMIN heading, click Root Cause Types.

ClosedAdd a Root Cause Type

To add a root cause type:

  1. In the Add Root Cause Type field, enter the name of the root cause type.

    This is the value that will be displayed to users.

    Root cause type names must be unique. If you attempt to add a root cause type that already exists, an error message will appear. The system does not consider root cause type names that are differentiated only by character case or spaces to be unique. For example, if you create a root cause type named "Unsafe Equipment", creating a root cause type named "unsafe equipment" or " unsafeEquipment" is not allowed.

  2. Click ADD.

    A dialog box opens asking you to confirm your choice.

  3. Click OK.

ClosedEdit a Root Cause Type

Once you have created a root cause type, you can further define it or edit it. To edit a root cause type:

  1. In the Root Cause Type field, select the root cause type to edit.

  2. To change the name of the root cause type, enter a value in the Rename field.

    All historical information will reflect the new value.

    Root cause type names must be unique. If you attempt to rename a root cause type to a name that already exists, an error message will appear. The system does not consider root cause type names that are differentiated only by character case or spaces to be unique. For example, if the root cause type "Unsafe Equipment" exists, renaming a root cause type "unsafe equipment" or " unsafeEquipment" is not allowed.

  3. To change the status, select a value in the Status field.

    Root cause types with a status of Inactive are not displayed to users. However, inactivating a root cause type does not affect the existing incidents that utilize it.

  4. Click UPDATE.

ClosedDelete a Root Cause Type

Root Cause Types that have not been used can be deleted from the system.

Root cause types that have been associated with incidents cannot be deleted, but they can be inactivated to prevent users from accessing them.

To delete a root cause type:

  1. In the Root Cause Type field, select the value to delete.

  2. Click DELETE.

    A dialog box opens asking you to confirm your choice.

  3. Click OK.

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