Problem-Solving Process
Step 3: Target Solutions
- Develop specific primary and alternative solution strategies: Focus on elimination/substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, or personal protective equipment when selecting corrective actions.
- Focus on improving the system: Revise written programs, policies, plans, processes, procedures, and practices to improve the safety management system.
- Determine resources and responsibilities: Physical and human resources will be required for most corrective actions and system improvements.
- Design specific primary and alternative solutions: Developing alternative corrective actions and system improvements will give management choices and a sense of control over the outcome.
- Establish risk-based timelines: Imminent-danger and serious hazards require immediate control or interim protection. Lower-risk items should be scheduled promptly, assigned to a responsible person, and tracked through completion.
- Use interim controls when a permanent correction cannot be completed immediately.
- Verify that each correction is effective and remains in place.
Step 4: Sell the solution
What is an effective recommendation? You'll learn more about submitting a recommendation that "sells the fix" in the next module. When recommendations are not acted upon, it may be that the supervisor does not have enough information to decide and act right away.
To speed up the process and improve the approval rate, the presenter should anticipate the supervisor's questions. The more pertinent the information you provide, the higher the odds of approval.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
6-3. Why should you develop alternative solutions when proposing recommendations?
You forgot to answer the question!