Posted on 9th May 2023

Dr. Chizaram Nwankwo

Every business, no matter the size, is bound to face some sort of incidents or accidents. These incidents can range from minor to major and can cause harm to people, property, or the environment. As a business owner or manager, it is important to recognize the importance of incident investigation and take the necessary steps to investigate any incidents that occur in the workplace.

Incident investigation is the process of identifying the root cause of an incident, determining what went wrong, and developing a plan to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. It is a vital process for businesses as it helps identify weaknesses in the system, develop strategies to prevent similar incidents, and ultimately save money and protect employees and stakeholders.

Here are some of the reasons why incident investigation is important for businesses:

1. Identifying the root cause of an incident: Incident investigation helps businesses identify the root cause of an incident. This can range from a human error, equipment failure, or a process failure. Identifying the root cause helps businesses develop strategies to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
2. Improving workplace safety: Workplace safety is a top priority for businesses. An incident investigation can help identify areas where safety measures can be improved, such as training employees on proper equipment use or ensuring that proper safety protocols are in place. This ultimately leads to a safer workplace for all employees.
3. Legal compliance: Many incidents may require a legal investigation to determine fault and liability. Proper incident investigation can help a business be prepared for any legal action that may occur.
4. Cost savings: Incidents can be costly for businesses. There are direct costs such as medical bills, property damage, and lost productivity, as well as indirect costs such as damage to the company's reputation. Incident investigation helps identify areas where cost savings can be made, such as identifying equipment that needs to be replaced or finding areas where training is needed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
5. Improved employee morale: Employees are the backbone of any business. Incidents can create a sense of fear or anxiety among employees, which can ultimately impact their morale and productivity. Proper incident investigation and implementation of preventative measures can help improve employee morale by providing a safer workplace.

Steps in incident investigation

Incident investigation is not a one-time process. It involves a series of steps that must be taken to ensure a thorough investigation. Here are some of the steps involved in incident investigation:

1. Reporting the incident: The first step in incident investigation is to report the incident as soon as it occurs. This helps ensure that the necessary personnel are notified and that the investigation can begin promptly.
2. Collecting information: Information is critical in incident investigation. Information such as witness statements, photographs, and any other relevant data should be collected as soon as possible.
3. Analysing the information: Once all the information is collected, it is important to analyse it thoroughly. This involves identifying the root cause of the incident and developing a plan to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
4. Developing and implementing corrective actions: Based on the analysis, a plan of action must be developed to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. This can include implementing new safety procedures, improving training for employees, or upgrading equipment.
5. Monitoring progress: It is important to monitor the progress of the corrective actions that have been implemented. This helps ensure that the measures put in place are effective in preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future.

Conclusion

Incident investigation is a critical process for businesses. It helps identify the root cause of an incident, develop strategies to prevent similar incidents from occurring, and ultimately save money and protect employees and stakeholders. It is important for businesses to recognize the importance of incident investigation and take the necessary steps to investigate any incidents that occur in the workplace. By doing so, businesses can create a safer workplace.