An incident isn’t the end of the story — it’s the start of understanding what went wrong and how to prevent it next time.
Why It Matters:
Whether it’s an injury, property damage, or a near-miss, investigating incidents helps uncover root causes. By identifying the “why” behind what happened, we can prevent it from happening again — possibly with more serious consequences.
Key Points:
- Every incident deserves a review, no matter how minor it seems.
- Look past the obvious. Don’t just blame the worker — examine procedures, training, supervision, and equipment.
- Interview witnesses promptly while memories are fresh.
- Document the findings. Use photos, forms, and timelines to support conclusions.
- Share what’s learned. Use toolbox talks or safety briefings to raise awareness among the crew.
✅ The goal is not to assign blame — it’s to learn and improve.
Ask the Crew:
- Have we talked about past incidents and what caused them?
- What improvements can we make to avoid similar situations?