Systematic Cause Analysis Technique (SCAT): Review Of

According to an undated publication of International Risk Control Africa the Systematic Cause Analysis Technique (SCAT) is a method that has been developed by the International Loss Control Institute (ILCI), that can be used to determine the root causes of accidents and incidents once a description of the sequence of events has been determined.

Steps Explained

The systematic cause analysis technique is based on a five-step fault tree that leads the investigator through a set of pre-determined questions. The yes/no questions are designed so that the investigator is led to a next set of questions.

Step 1

In the first step the investigator is required to collect evidence in five categories, namely people evidence, position evidence, paper evidence, parts evidence and re-enactment of the accident. Once the evidence has been collected, this step requires the investigator to evaluate the loss potential if the accident is not controlled. This is one of the few accident investigation models that attempt to introduce risk assessment principles into the investigation, however, the loss potential or severity of an accident used here, is only one of the factors considered during a typical risk assessment.

Step 2

Step two of the investigation requires the investigator to identify the agency from a list of general agencies such as equipment, machinery, electricity or explosive devices, to mention only four of the twenty-five common agencies. If the agency cannot be found here, a further list of sixteen occupational hygiene agencies, that include dust, fumes, noise and radiation, can be consulted. This would appear to be an attempt to identify the energy source, however, some of the general agencies given here cannot be classified as energy sources.

Step 3

In step three the investigator is required to identify the so-called immediate or direct causes from two lists, one for sub-standard acts and the other for sub-standard conditions. These lists respectively contain twenty-one and sixteen options and include items such as "operate equipment without authority" and "use of unsafe/sub standard equipment" under acts, with "inadequate warning systems" and "sub-standard material" under conditions.

Step 4

Step four requires the investigator to identify the so-called underlying or basic causes of the accident. In this step the system divides the underlying/basic causes into three categories namely personal factors, job factors and natural factors. The investigator is required to answer a list of two hundred and one questions in thirteen categories.

It is unclear why the system differentiates between the so-called immediate or direct causes and the so-called underlying or basic causes. It would appear that the system attempts to try and isolate more than one contributing factor by differentiating in this way.

Step 5

During step five the investigator is required to identify control actions needed. The guiding questions take the investigator back to the safety management system elements and require him to make recommendations that will impact on these.

Conclusion

A number of companies have successfully used the use of the Systematic Cause Analysis Technique (SCAT) as an accident and incident investigation technique. As a result of the limitations of the system as discussed in this article the general implementation of the system in companies sites may not be realized soon.

© 2009 Carl Marx