📖 Introduction
Incident investigation is a structured process of identifying the causes of workplace accidents, incidents, or near-misses.
The goal is not to assign blame but to learn lessons and prevent recurrence. Effective investigations improve risk control systems
and demonstrate management commitment to worker safety.
🎯 Learning Outcomes
- Understand why incident investigations are essential.
- Identify the steps in an investigation process.
- Differentiate between immediate and root causes.
- Explain the benefits of thorough investigations.
⚠️ Why Investigate Incidents?
Key reasons include:
- Preventing similar incidents from happening again.
- Identifying failures in risk assessments or controls.
- Ensuring legal compliance and avoiding penalties.
- Enhancing organisational learning and safety culture.
🔎 Investigation Process
- Initial Response: Make the area safe and provide medical aid if required.
- Notification: Report the incident to supervisors and relevant authorities.
- Information Gathering: Collect witness statements, photographs, and physical evidence.
- Analysis: Identify immediate causes (unsafe acts/conditions) and root causes (management/system failures).
- Recommendations: Suggest corrective and preventive actions.
- Follow-Up: Ensure actions are implemented and reviewed.
📝 Immediate vs Root Causes
Immediate causes: Unsafe conditions such as faulty equipment or unsafe acts like bypassing a guard.
Root causes: Failures in supervision, training, maintenance, or inadequate risk assessments.
🔑 Summary
- Incident investigations are about learning, not blaming.
- They help identify both immediate and root causes.
- Findings lead to corrective and preventive actions that strengthen the safety system.
🚀 What’s Next in IG1
Lecture 13: Emergency Preparedness and Response
We will focus on how organizations prepare for and respond to emergencies such as fires, chemical spills, or natural disasters.