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VALIDATE

ASSUMPTIONS

What?

Use evidence to validate assumptions.

One example is the practice of “test before touch” used in electrical work - which means do not assume that electrical equipment is de-energized; test it with a voltmeter before touching it.

1 Minute 4 Safety

How?

Validate by using evidence which includes past success, lessons learned, expert opinion, reference documentation, or other applicable methods.

Why?

To reduce the risk of an incorrect assumption that could be hazardous.

WHAT: Use objective evidence to validate assumptions. When assumptions cannot be verified, subject matter experts should be called in to bring additional technical expertise to help substantiate inputs, resolve assumptions, and solve the problem.

WHERE: Wherever pre-work planning or troubleshooting is occurring.

WHEN: This ideally happens prior to the work starting but can be used during a pause or work stoppage to understand a newly discovered unknown.

WHY: Assumptions are a necessary part of work so that a problem can be bounded while more information or knowledge is being developed or acquired. For these situations, workers need to devote extra effort to justify why the assumption is conservative and provide detailed evidence that supports it. To continue the job while uncertainty exists may lead to failure or an accident.

HOW: Validate by using objective evidence which includes past success, lessons learned, expert opinion, reference documentation, or other applicable methods.