Introduction
Action Plans are used when a CRM verification identifies that a critical control is missing, ineffective, or not in place.
This usually happens when a checklist question is answered “No.”
A “No” response means there may be a serious injury or fatality risk that is not being properly controlled. Work must stop until the risk is understood and the critical control is made effective.
Action Plans help the team record what went wrong, agree what needs to be fixed, assign responsibility, and track the issue until it is closed.
Why Action Plans Matter
Critical controls are in place to save lives.
When a critical control is missing or not working, the risk increases. An Action Plan helps make sure the issue is not forgotten, ignored, or left unresolved.
A good Action Plan helps to:
Identify the failed or missing critical control.
Record the action needed to fix the issue.
Assign a responsible person.
Track the action until it is complete.
Provide evidence that the risk has been reduced.
When to Create an Action Plan
An Action Plan is required when a verification identifies a non-compliance that cannot be immediately resolved or needs to be formally tracked.
Some issues can be corrected immediately in the field. This is known as Fixed in Field.
A non-compliance may involve:
A critical control is missing.
A critical control is damaged.
A critical control is not effective.
A required critical control cannot be verified.
In the CRM checklist, these issues are identified when a worker answers “No” to a critical control question.
Fixed in Field means the critical control was put in place or made effective before the work continued. The action is still recorded so the verification result is accurate, the learning is captured, and there is evidence that the risk was reduced.
Work may only continue once the critical control is corrected, verified, and effective. In some instances, work can also continue if alternative critical controls are established and verified.
What Makes a Good Action Plan
A good Action Plan is clear, factual, and practical.
It should clearly state:
What critical control was missing, ineffective, or could not be verified.
What action is required to restore the control.
Who is responsible for completing the action.
When the action must be completed.
How the control will be confirmed as effective.
The action should be specific and achievable. It should describe the physical action needed to restore the critical control.
A good action should start with a clear action word, such as:
Replace
Repair
Install
Inspect
Isolate
Verify
Confirm
Example of a Good Action
A lifting equipment verification identifies damaged lifting gear.
Poor action:
Fix lifting equipment.
Better action:
Remove damaged lifting gear from service, replace it with certified lifting gear, and verify the replacement before lifting work resumes.
The better action is clear, specific, and confirms how the critical control will be restored.
Responsibility and Follow-Up
Every Action Plan must have a responsible person.
The responsible person must have the authority, knowledge, and ability to make sure the action is completed.
The verifier may be the responsible person if the issue can be fixed in the field. If the issue requires more support, the action should be assigned to someone who can organize the people, equipment, resources, or approval needed.
Supervisors and managers should follow up open Action Plans until they are closed. Open actions may mean a critical risk is still not fully controlled.
Tracking Action Plans helps leaders:
See which controls are failing.
Identify repeat issues.
Focus effort on higher-risk areas.
Confirm actions are completed.
Prevent the same issue from happening again.
Closing an Action Plan
An Action Plan should only be closed when:
The required action has been completed.
The critical control is in place.
The critical control is verified as effective.
Evidence or comments support the closure.
The work can continue safely.
Summary
Action Plans are a key part of CRM because they turn verification findings into risk reduction.
When a critical control is missing, damaged, ineffective, or cannot be verified, the Action Plan records the issue, assigns responsibility, tracks the fix, and helps confirm the control is effective before work continues.
Action Plans must be clear, factual, assigned to the right person, and followed through to completion.
Important: A “No” response means a critical control may not be protecting people. Work must stop until the control is corrected, verified, and effective.