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 that could be put into place to prevent it from reoccurring.
The employer should gather and examine the data they collect to figure out where and why the departure from acceptable behavior happened. Employers can learn from errors and increase future productivity by identifying any indicators that appeared before the breakdown or possible interruption points that could have stopped it.
Legal liability is another purpose of investigating the incident because investigations gather information that could be paramount in mounting a defense against any resulting lawsuit(s). The defense team will build strategy based on the what, when, who, where, why, and how of the incident, data that's often revealed during the incident investigation.
For guidance on reporting and claims processes, see Understanding Workplace Accidents and Insurance Reporting.
How Should the Investigative Process Take Place? The investigative process begins with a review and examination of the incident scene to provide an exact reason, or possible scenarios, as to why the incident happened.
Pictures should be taken of the scene 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 internally created forms—to guide the questioning and help maintain objective, consistent statements.
All gathered information should be carefully analyzed to determine what elements are explainable and what still needs explanation. The chronology of events and the actions of those involved should be explored alongside concurrently occurring actions to see if any had a bearing on the incident.
Documenting near misses and hazards, even when no injury occurred, can help prevent future incidents by revealing patterns or unsafe conditions early.
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 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.