Episode 196 - Occupational Safety - Accident or Incident Investigation?

Dr. Ayers explains why safety professionals should stop using the word “accident” and instead use “incident.” The episode emphasizes that language shapes mindset — and calling something an “accident” implies randomness and inevitability, which undermines prevention.

  🧠 Key Themes 1. “Accident” Suggests Unavoidable Events

Dr. Ayers highlights that the word accident carries assumptions:

• It sounds random

• It implies no one could have prevented it

• It reduces accountability for learning

This mindset blocks improvement. Sources:

  2. “Incident” Supports a Prevention Mindset

Using incident instead:

• Keeps the focus on causes

• Reinforces that events are preventable

• Encourages investigation

• Promotes learning and improvement

Language influences culture. Sources:

  3. Investigations Should Be Consistent Regardless of Severity

Whether something is:

• A near miss

• A minor injury

• A major event

…organizations should still investigate with the same mindset: What can we learn so this doesn’t happen again?

  4. The Goal Is Understanding, Not Blame

Dr. Ayers reinforces that investigations must:

• Stay objective

• Focus on systems

• Avoid fault‑finding

• Identify meaningful corrective actions

The terminology we choose sets the tone for this process.

  🚀 Leadership Takeaways

• Words matter — “incident” supports prevention; “accident” undermines it.

• Every event is an opportunity to learn.

• Consistent investigation practices strengthen safety culture.

• The goal is understanding and prevention, not blame.