What it means
An incident investigation collects the facts about an event and works out the causes, so the site can fix them. It covers injuries, near misses, vehicle accidents, spills and damage.
Start fast. Make the area safe, get medical help for anyone hurt, and preserve what you can. Then take photos, collect statements and note the conditions: the weather, the equipment, the task, the people on it.
The goal is the cause, not a person to blame. A good investigation ends with corrective actions that have an owner and a date. Follow your company's procedure and check any rule that applies to your case.
Why it matters
If the investigation stops at "worker error," the next worker makes the same mistake. A real one finds what let it happen and fixes that. It also gives you records you can stand behind.
What it looks like on a site
- The foreman secures the area and calls for help before anything else.
- Photos and statements are collected the same day, while memory is fresh.
- A small team, including someone who does the task, works out the causes.
- Corrective actions go on a list with an owner and a due date.
- The lead shares what was learned with the crews who do similar work.
This is general information, not legal advice. Check the current rule and your own procedures. Back to the glossary