Professional Workplace Incident Investigation Services
When a workplace incident occurs, businesses need more than a quick explanation. A proper investigation can help establish the facts, identify contributing factors and determine what needs to change to reduce the risk of a similar event happening again.
At Train in Health & Safety Ltd, we understand that effective incident investigation services must be practical, evidence-based, and focused on the circumstances of the individual workplace. Our approach looks beyond the immediate event to consider the conditions, decisions, procedures and controls that may have contributed to it.
What Is Incident Investigation?
Incident Investigation is an organized method for learning what happened before, during, and after a workplace incident. It can be used for accidents, close calls, dangerous occurrences, property damage, and other workplace safety concerns.
Good workplace incident investigation isn’t just about identifying who was involved. It means building a chain of events, gathering information, and examining the circumstances that enabled the incident to happen. You can then use the results to make improvements.
Our Incident Investigation Services
Our accident investigation services focus on establishing the truth and identifying areas for improvement. Depending on the situation, the following can be considered during an investigation:
- What happened and when
- Where the incident occurred
- Who was involved or who was affected
- Workplace conditions during the time of the incident
- Tools, materials or substances used
- Procedures and control measures in place
- Training and supervision arrangements
- Documentation and records
- Causes both immediate and underlying
- Follow-up actions post investigation
When Should An Incident Be Investigated?
Not all workplace incidents will demand an investigation of equal magnitude. But employers should investigate incidents involving injury, substantial property damage, a serious threat, repeated control failures, or the potential for a worse incident in the future.
Near-misses can also provide valuable information. Even though no one got hurt, the facts can point out deficiencies that need to be remedied before the next accident happens. Prompt investigation also helps collect important evidence and information while memories are still fresh.
Our Investigation Process
A structured approach helps keep the process on track and ensures no essential details are left out. An approach for investigating our health and safety incident could be to:
Determine the facts
Understand the incident and determine the scope of the investigation.
Collect evidence
Examine all records, statements, photographs and other evidence.
Reconstruct events
Identify what occurred and how it occurred.
Identify contributory factors
Consider work environment, processes, machinery, personnel, and organizational factors.
Analyze cause
Investigate the underlying cause beyond the immediate incident.
Recommend action
Recommend corrective actions in response to the findings.
Report
Present the results of the investigation.
Evidence & Information Gathering
An investigation’s success rests on dependable information. Gather information systematically, not on assumptions or one individual’s memory. Information which is appropriate to the particular incident will vary and may include:
- Witness statements
- Pictures or films
- Workplace inspection reports
- Risk assessments
- Method statements and procedures
- Training reports
- Information about equipment
- Maintenance reports
- Accident/near miss reports
- Workplace documentation
Root Cause Analysis
An incident’s trigger factor is not always the same thing that caused the incident. This means that even if an unsafe act caused the incident, other factors may be involved, such as process control, supervision, training, equipment, or the workplace environment.
Our approach to health and safety incident investigation considers these contributing factors to help businesses understand why an incident occurred. Looking beyond the immediate cause can provide more useful information for deciding whether existing controls, procedures or working arrangements need to be reviewed.
Corrective & Preventive Actions
Investigation findings must lead to action. Action may include reviewing procedures, improving workplace controls, addressing equipment issues, providing more information or training, or even restructuring certain activities.
Action must be clearly defined so the company knows what to do, who to assign the task to, and how to evaluate progress. This is not just about reporting an incident, but using the information gained to prevent such incidents in the future.
Investigation Reports & Recommendations
An effective investigation report provides managers and the appropriate workplace staff with a valuable record of the facts found. The report may contain the following items:
Details of incident
Background information
Order of events
Evidence considered
Findings
Immediate and contributory causes
Control weaknesses identified
Actions recommended
Benefits Of Professional Incident Investigation
A systematic approach helps the company gain better insight into what went wrong and how to improve. It will help to:
- Create an accurate account of the event
- Determine the factors involved
- Show weaknesses in existing controls
- Help with improving work procedures
- Minimize the chances of future occurrences
- Facilitate learning from mistakes within the company
Industries We Support
Incident investigation principles apply across various work environments. While the nature and context will differ across industries, the need to get to the bottom of the situation will remain. Health and safety knowledge can be applicable in the following sectors:
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Logistics and warehousing
- Facilities management
- Engineering
- Office environments
- Various industrial environments
Why Choose Train in Health & Safety?
At Train in Health & Safety Ltd, we take a pragmatic approach to workplace health and safety. Our professional trainers use work examples, discussion, and practical application to make topics easy to understand.
We know that every workplace has different activities, risks, and working conditions. That is why our approach concentrates on understanding the circumstances rather than using a one-size-fits-all explanation. If you’re considering incident investigation training, we can discuss your requirements and outline your options.
Request Incident Investigation Support
A workplace incident may raise questions about what happened, how it happened, and what to do afterward. An investigation allows businesses to answer these questions.
If you need incident investigation services or want to discuss workplace incident investigation training for your team, contact Train in Health & Safety Ltd. Get in touch today to discuss your requirements, request investigation support, or find out more about our incident investigation training.
- FAQ’S
What is the purpose of incident investigation?
The purpose is to determine what happened, understand why it happened, and identify actions that might prevent a similar incident from recurring.
Which incidents should be investigated?
Accidents, serious near-misses, dangerous occurrences, property damage, or any occurrence involving failure of a key control could be investigated. The level of investigation depends on the situation.
Is accident investigation similar to incident investigation?
While accident investigation usually focuses on accidents, incident investigation can cover accidents, near-misses, and other workplace occurrences.
What is the basis for investigations?
Investigators may use witness statements, photographs, workplace records, procedures, risk assessments, training records, maintenance records, and other relevant documents as evidence.
Why is root cause analysis useful?
This tool enables investigators to analyze not only the incident itself but also the underlying or contributory reasons for its occurrence.
Can businesses undergo incident investigation training?
Yes, they can. Incident investigation training helps management and other personnel responsible for investigations structure the process and identify the contributory reasons for incidents.
