Occupational Safety Specialist how-to
How to Investigate a Workplace Incident
Good investigations prevent the next incident by fixing systems, not blaming people.
Good investigations prevent the next incident by fixing systems, not blaming people. In short: make; gather; interview, then complete the remaining steps below.
Step by step
Make sure injured people get care and the scene is safe and preserved.
Gather facts: photos, measurements, equipment and documents.
Interview witnesses and the people involved separately and without blame.
Build a timeline of what happened.
Identify causes using a method such as the 5 Whys or a fishbone diagram.
Recommend corrective actions using the hierarchy of controls, with owners and due dates.
Share lessons learned and verify that actions were completed and effective.
Safety reminders for occupational safety specialists
- Wear the same PPE required for the work areas you inspect
- Stop work when you see imminent danger
- Protect injured workers’ privacy in records and investigations
- Model safe behavior at all times: credibility depends on it
Key terms
OSHA · 29 CFR 1910 / 1926 · Job hazard analysis (JHA) · Hierarchy of controls · OSHA 300 log · Recordable incident: see the full occupational safety specialist glossary.