Employers should always make it a top priority to provide workers with a safe working environment. That said, accidents can still happen even when employers strictly enforce safety practices and employees adhere to them.
The Purpose of Incident Investigation. The main purpose of an incident investigation is for the employer to learn why the breakdown happened and determine procedures to reduce the chance it will reoccur.
The employer should gather and examine the data collected to figure out where and why the departure from acceptable behavior happened. Employers can learn from errors and improve future safety and productivity by identifying indicators that appeared before the breakdown or interruption points that could have stopped it.
Legal liability is another reason to investigate incidents: investigations gather information that can be important in defending against any resulting lawsuits. A defense team will build strategy based on the what, when, who, where, why, and how of the incident—data often revealed during a thorough investigation.
For guidance on reporting and claims processes, see Understanding Workplace Accidents and Insurance Reporting.
For information relevant to organized activities and camps, see Protecting Campers and Staff: Accident Medical and Dental Insurance for Camps.
How Should the Investigative Process Take Place? The investigative process begins with a review and examination of the incident scene to establish an accurate cause or to develop possible scenarios explaining why the incident happened.
Photos of the scene should be taken so they can later be compared to blueprints, diagrams, or drawings of the area to help determine the chain of events leading up to the incident.
Next, question all witnesses who might have information about the incident and its surrounding events. Use standardized forms—either from regulatory agencies or internal templates—to guide the questioning and help maintain objective, consistent statements.
All gathered information should be carefully analyzed to determine which elements are explainable and which still need explanation. Explore the chronology of events and the actions of those involved alongside concurrently occurring actions to see if any had a bearing on the incident.
Document near misses and hazards even when no injury occurred; this can reveal patterns or unsafe conditions early and help prevent future incidents.
Following the analysis, the investigator should prepare a written report that describes the incident, the circumstances and elements that led to it, why it occurred, and any recommendations to prevent recurrence. The report should accompany the physical documentation collected during the investigation.
Although an incident investigation focuses on understanding the what and how, implementing recommended changes is essential to prevent reoccurrence. For implementation guidance and safety program resources, see Understanding Business Safety Programs and Insurance Claims.
For specific program-level accident coverage options, see Sports Accident Medical Program (Amateur).
For assistance applying recommendations, talk to an agent who can help coordinate insurance and compliance steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should be done immediately after an incident?
Secure the scene, provide necessary medical attention, preserve evidence (photos, equipment), and notify appropriate supervisors or safety personnel.
Who should conduct the investigation?
An impartial person trained in incident investigation should lead the process, with input from supervisors, safety staff, and witnesses as needed.
What records should be kept after an investigation?
Keep the incident report, witness statements, photos, equipment inspections, corrective actions, and any related communications.
How quickly should an investigation be completed?
Investigations should begin immediately and be completed as soon as reasonably possible while evidence and witness memory remain reliable.