Describe the steps involved in a basic incident investigation.

Describe the steps involved in a basic incident investigation.

• A. Preserve scene, collect evidence, interview witnesses, identify root cause(s) using methods like 5 Whys or fault tree, determine corrective actions, assign responsibility, monitor implementation, and close the investigation.
• B. Notify supervisor and file the report; no further action.
• C. Only interview witnesses and write a brief summary.
• D. Document only the injury details without analyzing root causes.

Answer: (A)

Understanding what happened and why is the aim of a basic incident investigation. Start by preserving the scene and securing it to protect evidence. Collect and document all relevant evidence—physical items, equipment, photos, measurements, and records. Interview witnesses and involved personnel to build an accurate timeline and understand actions taken. Analyze the information to identify root causes using structured methods such as the 5 Whys or fault tree analysis, so you uncover underlying factors rather than just the obvious events. Develop corrective actions that address those root causes, not just symptoms, and assign clear responsibility with deadlines for implementing them. Monitor progress to verify that actions are completed and effective, and then close the investigation with a formal report that records findings, actions, responsibilities, and verification results. Skipping steps like scene preservation, root-cause analysis, or follow-through on corrective actions can leave underlying issues unaddressed and allow recurrence.

Understanding what happened and why is the aim of a basic incident investigation. Start by preserving the scene and securing it to protect evidence. Collect and document all relevant evidence—physical items, equipment, photos, measurements, and records. Interview witnesses and involved personnel to build an accurate timeline and understand actions taken. Analyze the information to identify root causes using structured methods such as the 5 Whys or fault tree analysis, so you uncover underlying factors rather than just the obvious events. Develop corrective actions that address those root causes, not just symptoms, and assign clear responsibility with deadlines for implementing them. Monitor progress to verify that actions are completed and effective, and then close the investigation with a formal report that records findings, actions, responsibilities, and verification results. Skipping steps like scene preservation, root-cause analysis, or follow-through on corrective actions can leave underlying issues unaddressed and allow recurrence.