Here are some commonly used methods of investigation of incidents in the workplace, listed from simplest to most complicated:
Basic Incident Reporting: This involves documenting the basic details of an incident, such as the date, time, location, and individuals involved. This method is often used for minor incidents and near misses.
Root Cause Analysis: This involves investigating the underlying causes of an incident and identifying contributing factors that may have led to the incident. Root cause analysis often involves interviewing witnesses, reviewing procedures and policies, and analysing data to identify areas for improvement.
Fishbone Diagram: This is a visual tool used to map out the potential causes of an incident. It involves identifying the various factors that could have contributed to the incident and organizing them into categories.
Fault Tree Analysis: This is a more complex method that involves mapping out the various events and conditions that led up to an incident, and then working backwards to identify the root causes.
ICAM (Incident Cause Analysis Methodology): ICAM is a comprehensive and structured approach that seeks to identify both the immediate and underlying systemic causes of an incident. It involves a thorough investigation process, including data collection, analysis, and the development of recommendations to prevent future incidents.
Incident Investigation Software: This is a technology-based solution that can be used to automate the process of incident reporting, investigation, and analysis. It often includes features such as data collection, report generation, and trend analysis. This method can be the most complicated, but it can also be the most efficient and effective for organizations with large volumes of incidents to investigate.