What are Escalation Factors?
Escalation factors are conditions that can weaken or cause failure of controls. They do not directly cause the top event but increase the likelihood of it occurring.
Example
- A safety system exists (control)
- Poor maintenance reduces its effectiveness (escalation factor)
Why They Matter
Escalation factors help identify:
- Weak points in safety systems
- Conditions that increase risk
- Areas requiring additional controls
Escalation Factor Controls
Additional controls can be introduced to manage escalation factors and ensure primary controls remain effective.
Summary
Understanding escalation factors helps organizations ensure that their controls remain reliable and effective over time.