Episode 197 - Occupational Safety - Reasons to conduct an Incident Investigation

Dr. Ayers explains the core reasons every organization should conduct incident investigations, even for minor events. The episode emphasizes that investigations are not about blame — they are about learning, prevention, and protecting employees.

  🧠 Key Themes 1. Prevent Future Injuries

The primary purpose of an investigation is to stop the same incident from happening again. Dr. Ayers highlights that every incident provides clues about system weaknesses that, if corrected, prevent future harm. Sources:

  2. Learn From Mistakes and Near Misses

Incidents — especially minor ones — reveal:

• Gaps in procedures

• Hidden hazards

• Behavioral patterns

• Systemic issues

Investigations turn these events into learning opportunities. Sources:

  3. Improve Safety Culture

When employees see that investigations are:

• Fair

• Blame‑free

• Focused on improvement

…they become more willing to report hazards and participate in safety efforts. Sources:

  4. Strengthen Processes and Systems

Investigations help organizations identify:

• Training gaps

• Equipment issues

• Workflow problems

• Communication failures

Fixing these improves overall operational reliability.

  5. Demonstrate Leadership Commitment

Conducting investigations — even for small events — shows employees that leadership takes safety seriously. This builds trust and reinforces expectations.

  🚀 Leadership Takeaways

• Investigations are about learning, not blame.

• Every incident reveals opportunities to prevent future harm.

• Consistent investigations strengthen culture and trust.

• Small events matter — they often predict larger ones.