What is the main focus of an incident investigation?

The main focus of an incident investigation is to identify root causes and prevent recurrence. This process aims to understand not just what happened during an incident, but why it happened. By analyzing the underlying factors that contributed to the incident, safety professionals can develop strategies to eliminate or mitigate these risks in the future. The goal is to create a safer environment and promote a culture of safety within the organization.

While gathering witness statements, enhancing employee training, and determining financial liability are important aspects of the broader incident management process, they do not address the core purpose of an investigation. Witness statements can provide valuable information about the incident, but they are a means to an end rather than the end itself. Employee training can improve safety skills, and understanding financial liabilities may be necessary for organizational accountability, but these elements do not directly contribute to the primary goal of preventing future incidents. Hence, focusing on root causes leads to more effective solutions and long-term safety improvements.