TapRooT® Changing the Way the World Solves Problems

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May 2026

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About the show

TapRooT® is a systematic root cause analysis process, training, and software to analyze and fix the real root causes of problems. On our podcasts we have episodes from our TapRooT® TV program (seen on Facebook and YouTube) and will feature additional episodes to help you with your root cause analysis and incident investigation program.

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42 recent

May 26, 202632 min

Safety Theater

In this episode of the TapRooT® Podcast, we break down the truth about leading indicators, lagging indicators, safety metrics, and “safety theater.” Are your KPIs actually improving safety performance or just encouraging people to game the system? Mark and Tim discuss how organizations misuse safety measures like TRIR, behavior-based safety observations, corrective action closure rates, and leading indicators. They explore how poorly designed metrics can create unintended consequences, hide real risks, and even damage safety culture. If you work in safety management, incident investigation, operational excellence, human performance, process safety, EHS, or root cause analysis, this episode is packed with practical insights on building better safety systems and avoiding metric-driven failures. 🔔 Subscribe for more TapRooT® Podcast episodes on root cause analysis, safety culture, incident investigations, human performance improvement, and operational excellence. Check out our linktree to learn more about TapRooT® RCA and discover us on other social media platforms. ➡️ https://linktr.ee/taprootrca 📚 Want to improve your safety metrics, investigations, and corrective actions? Explore TapRooT® training courses and workshops: TapRooT® Courses & Training • 2-Day Essential Courses - https://store.taproot.com/courses#sFi... • 3-Day (Virtual) Courses - https://store.taproot.com/courses#sFi... •5-Day Advanced Courses - https://store.taproot.com/courses#sFi...

May 26, 202619 min

Making the World a Better Place

In this episode of the TapRooT® Podcast, we discuss why thorough incident investigations and root cause analysis matter, not just for compliance, but for saving lives, protecting families, and creating safer workplaces. Topics covered include: • Why workplace investigations are critical • Preventing fatalities through proactive safety practices • Real stories about incident prevention and safety culture • How root cause analysis improves organizational performance • The importance of continuous improvement in investigations • Lessons from the TapRooT® Summit and TapRooT® Training • Safety leadership and making meaningful contributions Learn more about our 5-Day Advanced TapRooT® Course: https://taproot.com/course/5-day-tapr... See our socials, blog, and more resources on our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/taprootrca If you’re passionate about improving workplace safety, reducing incidents, and learning how better investigations can change lives, this episode is for you.

May 26, 202618 min

A Single Root Cause?

This discussion covers: • Root cause analysis best practices • Why incidents rarely have a single cause • Human error vs. system failures • Corrective action prioritization • The limits of Five Whys investigations • Leadership’s role in investigations • How TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis improves investigations Whether you work in safety, operations, quality, maintenance, reliability, utilities, oil & gas, manufacturing, healthcare, or government, this episode will help you improve investigations and strengthen organizational learning. Interested in learning TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis? Explore upcoming public, virtual, and on-site courses to improve investigations, reduce repeat incidents, and build more effective corrective actions. Upcoming Courses • 5-Day Course: https://taproot.com/course/5-day-tapr... • 2-Day Course: https://taproot.com/course/2-day-tapr... • 3-Day Course: https://taproot.com/course/3-day-virt... • Onsite Training: https://taproot.com/contact/ Learn More and Socials Linktree: https://linktr.ee/taprootrca Timestamps: 00:00 - 00:30 – The Myth of a Single Root Cause 00:40 - 01:45 – What Is Root Cause Analysis? 01:46 - 03:29 – Why Traditional RCA Methods Fall Short 03:30 - 05:33 – Leadership, Blame Culture, and Investigations 05:34 - 07:02 – Military Investigation Example & Organizational Failure 07:03 - 09:42 – Why Incidents Have Multiple Root Causes 09:43 - 10:42 – Five Whys vs. TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis 10:43 - 14:39 – Prioritizing Corrective Actions vs. Root Causes 14:40 - 16:14 – Changing Investigation Mindsets 16:15 - 18:29 – How TapRooT® Training Improves Investigations

March 25, 202632 min

Are You Investigating Enough?

What is covered in this podcast: • The purpose of root cause analysis and why investigations exist beyond just reporting incidents • The difference between reactive and proactive investigations • Why focusing only on big incidents can leave organizations vulnerable • How to identify precursors and warning signs before serious problems occur • The right metrics to measure effectiveness and avoid relying on fatalities alone • Organizational proficiency: building skill and culture to improve investigations • Making investigations practical, efficient, and easy to perform • When it’s okay to stop low-value investigations and focus on what really matters • Creating a reporting culture that encourages improvement instead of discouraging it This is a must-watch for safety professionals, quality managers, and anyone responsible for preventing incidents before they happen. Whether you’re just starting with root cause analysis or looking to take your investigations to the next level, this episode offers practical insights you can apply immediately. Timestamps: 00:00 - 00:19: Introduction – Are We Doing Enough Investigations? 00:20 -01:29: The Purpose of Root Cause Analysis (Preventing Repeated Mistakes) 02:00 - 03:59: Reactive vs. Proactive Investigations (Learning Before Incidents Happen) 04:00 - 06:29: Avoiding the Trap of Only Investigating Big Incidents 06:30 - 07:59: Understanding Precursors and Missed Warning Signs 08:00 - 09:59: Measuring What Matters (Metrics Beyond Fatalities) 10:00 - 11:59: Building Organizational Proficiency (Getting Good at Investigations) 12:00 - 14:59: Making Investigations Practical (Easy, Efficient, and Actionable) 15:00 - 17:29: When to Stop and Focus on High-Value Investigations 17:30 - 32:49: Creating a Reporting Culture (Incentives, Avoiding Nonsense, and Continuous Improvement)

March 25, 202624 min

Can a Warning Last 10,000 Years?

So, what does it take to create signs and labels that last? How do you design warnings that work across cultures, generations, and experience levels? And what can incident investigators learn about fixing systemic causes instead of relying on people to "be more alert," or to “be more careful”? Timestamps 00:00 - 00:48: Intro 00:49 - 03:37: Warning Signs & The Pyramids 03:38 - 10:21: Human Factors & Signs 10:22 - 13:27: Safeguards 13:28 - 20:50: Labeling & Sign Examples 20:51 - 24:56: How You Can Learn More Did you enjoy this video? Check out our other social medias to learn even more about TapRooT® and other root cause analysis industry standards. Click on the Linktree below. https://linktr.ee/taprootrca Blog Post: Functional Naming Guide - https://taproot.com/functional-naming-guide/ Public Courses: 2-Day - https://store.taproot.com/courses#sFilters=4!10 3-Day (Virtual) - https://store.taproot.com/courses#sFilters=4!11 5-Day - https://store.taproot.com/courses#sFilters=4!12 Onsite Course Info Contact Us - https://taproot.com/contact/ Do you want to learn more about TapRooT® RCA? We would be happy to continue the conversation with you. Contact us by phone, email, or website inquiry. Website: https://taproot.com/contact/ Email: info@taproot.com Phone: +1 (865) 539-2139

March 24, 202636 min

What Happened to Old Crow Bourbon: Quality Change-Analysis

Using the TapRooT® Change Analysis method, we break down the myth that a single process change caused Old Crow’s decline. Instead, we walk step-by-step through what investigators should actually do when performance changes. If you're interested in bourbon history, problem-solving, root cause analysis, or investigation techniques, this episode is a perfect example of how structured thinking reveals the real story behind complex problems. 👉 Want to learn how to perform Change Analysis and investigations like this? Check out TapRooT® training and resources below. TapRooT® 5-Day RCA Course: https://taproot.com/course/5-day-taproot-advanced-root-cause-analysis-team-leader-training/ Contact Info Website: https://taproot.com/contact/ Email: info@taproot.com Phone: +1 (865) 539-2139

March 24, 202633 min

Why Do Operators Hate Procedures

5-Day Advanced RCA Course: https://taproot.com/course/5-day-taproot-advanced-root-cause-analysis-team-leader-training/ Stopping Human Error Course: https://taproot.com/course/stopping-human-error-course/ Contact Info Website: https://taproot.com/contact/ Email: info@taproot.com Phone: +1 (865) 539-2139

March 24, 202626 min

Why Do Investigations Take So Long

In This Episode, You’ll Learn: • Why “fast investigations” often lead to bad results • The biggest mistakes that make investigations take longer • How management expectations impact investigation speed • When an investigation is worth your time (and when it’s not) • How to identify high-potential incidents • The role of leadership, resources, and culture • How to eliminate delays from meetings, vendors, and scheduling • Tips to run faster, more effective investigations If your team is struggling with slow investigations, missed root causes, or ineffective corrective actions, then this is the episode for you! Want to learn more investigation best practices? Check out our linktree to follow us on social media. https://linktr.ee/taprootrca TapRooT® Root Cause Analysis Courses • 2-Day Essentials - https://taproot.com/course/2-day-taproot-root-cause-analysis-training/ • 3-Day Essentials (Virtual) - https://taproot.com/course/3-day-virtual-taproot-root-cause-analysis-training/ • 5-Day Advanced - https://taproot.com/course/5-day-taproot-advanced-root-cause-analysis-team-leader-training/ Timestamps: 00:00 - 00:59 – Intro: Why Do Investigations Feel So Slow? 01:00 - 02:39 – The Truth About “Fast vs. Good” Investigations 02:30 - 04:29 – What Actually Takes Time (And Why It Matters) 04:30 - 05:59 – How Poor Focus Drags Investigations Out 06:00 - 07:29 – The Hidden Impact of Management Expectations 07:30 - 10:59 – Biggest Time Wasters (Talking, Distractions, Daily Work) 11:00 - 13:59 – Why Leadership & Resources Change Everything 14:00 - 18:29 – Stop Wasting Time: Focus on High-Potential Incidents 18:30 - 22:59 – External Delays: Vendors, Legal, and Scheduling 23:00 - 26:46 – How to Run Faster, More Effective Investigations #rootcauseanalysis #podcast #investigations #safety #bestpractices

January 22, 202631 min

Will AI Robots Solve All Our Safety Problems

AI can do so much in today's world. But can it handle, or even assist, the responsibilities of a safety professional? Join Alex, Justin, and Ken as they discuss the pros and cons of using AI in the safety field. Did you enjoy this podcast? Check out our other videos below. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXD-wGbdcTCtp_VzYhO423O9tM3x_XtRr Interested to learn more about AI and safety? Check out our blog to go more in depth. https://taproot.com/blog?search%5B%5D=artificial%20intelligence Learn more about the TapRooT® Summit: https://taproot.com/summit/ Follow us on social to receive the latest news. Click on the Linktree. https://linktr.ee/taprootrca Contact Us: Website: https://taproot.com/contact/ Email: info@taproot.com Phone: (865) 539-2139 #AI #safety #rootcauseanalysis #podcast #discussion

August 25, 202539 min

OceanGate: A Discussion on The Documentary

The Titan implosion was a preventable tragedy facilitated by a toxic workplace culture at OceanGate. Alex will be interviewing Justin and Ken, two Navy Nukes, to find the line between an innovative mission and a fool's errand. n