What is the purpose of incident investigations?

The purpose of incident investigations is fundamentally to determine the causes of incidents in order to prevent their recurrence. This process involves analyzing what went wrong, identifying any underlying issues or safety practices that failed, and learning from the events to improve overall safety protocols. By understanding the root causes, organizations can implement effective corrective actions and preventive measures to address identified vulnerabilities, thereby minimizing the risk of similar incidents happening in the future. This proactive approach is essential for creating a safer work environment, especially in high hazard facilities where the potential for serious events is significant.

While collecting data for safety reports, evaluating employee performance, and assessing safety equipment are important activities within a safety management system, the core aim of incident investigations revolves around understanding and mitigating risks, leading to a safer workplace.