What is the main purpose of an incident investigation?

The main purpose of an incident investigation is to identify the root causes of accidents and prevent future occurrences. Effective incident investigation focuses on understanding the underlying factors that led to the incident, which allows organizations to implement changes designed to improve safety and prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. This proactive approach aims to create a safer environment for employees and stakeholders by learning from past mistakes and addressing vulnerabilities in processes or systems.

In contrast, focusing on blaming employees does not contribute to a safer workplace and may even discourage reporting and open communication about potential hazards. Documenting all incidents without any follow-up fails to address the fundamental issues that lead to incidents and does not contribute to safety improvements. Simply ensuring compliance with regulations can be important, but it should not be the sole purpose, as compliance alone does not necessarily lead to a culture of safety or the prevention of future incidents. Thus, the goal of fostering a safer work environment through identifying root causes is paramount in incident investigations.