
INCIDENT INVESTIGATION
AND ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS
Three Convenient Study Modes to Choose from:
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Online: Self-paced with assignments and instructor support
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In-Person: Classroom-based with group and team activities and discussions
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Live Virtual: Real-time Zoom sessions with expert guidance and interactive participation
WHY DO I NEED THIS COURSE?
After attending the course you will be able to
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Participate in or lead incident investigation
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Gather evidence and conduct witness interviews
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Identify incident causes and produce effective action plans to eliminate causes and prevent a recurrence
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Improved safety culture by encouraging a proactive approach to incident investigation
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Add to your own and in-company expertise
WHAT IS THE COURSE PROGRAM?
Element 1: Introduction to Incident Investigation
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Key Terms in Incident Investigation
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How Human and Organizational Factors Contribute to Incidents:
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Human factors, human errors and their causes in incidents
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The difference between intentional violations and unintentional errors
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Types of errors and violations
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The Importance of Investigating Incidents and Near Misses and Identifying Root Causes
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How and why identifying the root causes of incidents helps prevent future incidents and saves the company money
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Step-by-Step Guide to Investigation Process
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Incident notification and initial response
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Fact gathering (site and physical evidence survey, witness interviews, document / record review)
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Analyzing the collected facts and determining the causes of the incident
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Developing and planning corrective and preventive actions
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Developing an incident investigation report
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Learning lessons from incidents
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Incident Notification and Initial Response
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Practical exercise: Developing an incident notification and creating a "flash report"
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Different Levels of Investigation (Minimal, Low, Medium, and High)
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Creating an investigation team (role of the chairperson, selecting team members, competencies for team members)
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Element 2: Gathering Facts
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Scene Survey and Evidence Collection
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Collection of physical evidence
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Document / record review
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Effective witness interviewing skills
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Collection of written statements
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Using the PEACE model for interviews (Planning and Preparation, Engage and Explain, Account, Clarification and Challenge, Closure, Evaluation)
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Practical exercise: developing interview questions for witnesses
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"Blame Practices" in Investigation and Witness Interviews
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Why they are common and how they hinder successful investigations and interviews
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Psychological biases during interviews
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Types, examples, and how they negatively impact interviews and investigation conclusions
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Practical exercise: Recognizing psychological biases during interviews
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Element 3: Analyzing Facts and Root Causes Analysis (RCA)
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Identifying the sequence of events leading to the incident (storyboarding and creating a chronological timeline)
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Practical exercise: Creating an incident timeline and identifying critical factors
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Differentiating between Immediate, Underlying, and Root Causes
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RCA: cause-and-effect logical methods "5 Why-s" and "Cause Tree Analysis"
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Practical exercise: Determining incident causes using the "5 Whys" and "Cause Tree Analysis"
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RCA: category methods: "Ishikawa Fishbone" and SCAT (System Cause Analysis Technique)
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Practical exercise: Determining incident causes using the "Ishikawa Fishbone Diagram" method
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Practical exercise: Determining incident causes using the System Cause Analysis Technique method
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RCA: Barrier method “Bowtie”
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Practical exercise: Determining incident causes using the Bowtie method
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Element 4: Developing Corrective Actions and Learning from Incidents
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Forming conclusions, identifying missing, inadequate, or ineffective controls
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Developing effective corrective and preventive measures
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Practical exercise: Assessing the effectiveness of measures
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Creating an investigation report
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How to learn lessons from incidents effectively
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Practical exercise: Creating lessons learned from an incident
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Practical exercise: Reflective learning from incidents
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HOW LONG IS THE COURSE AND WHAT IS THE FORMAT?
Duration: 16 hours
This course is available in three flexible formats:
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Online (Self-Paced):
Access the course through our world-class Learning Management System, complete with engaging best-practice materials, interactive tests, assignments, and unlimited instructor support. Ideal for individual learners who prefer flexibility, with one month of access. -
In-Person (Classroom-Based) on Client's premises:
Delivered face-to-face with group activities and discussions. Ideal for those who want to fully immerse themselves in the subject without distractions from daily tasks, and who value live interaction and team engagement. Best suited for corporate groups, with scheduling tailored to client availability. -
Live Virtual (Zoom):
Led by expert instructors over 2–4 real-time Zoom sessions. This format preserves interactivity while saving travel costs and allowing participants from multiple locations to join. The shorter, modular sessions offer scheduling flexibility—ideal for busy corporate teams.
IS IT PRACTICAL? IS IT FUN?
Whether delivered face-to-face or online, this highly interactive course combines core theory with hands-on application, using collaborative tools and problem-solving tasks to reinforce engagement and ensure understanding and lasting retention.
In-person course participants gain practical skills to identify, assess, and manage health and safety risks through a dynamic mix of:
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Group discussions
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Breakout team exercises
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Real-world business case scenarios reviews
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Video study analysis
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Individual self-assessments
In the online format, engagement is enhanced through:
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Interactive quizzes and knowledge checks
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Instructor-reviewed assignments
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Video study analysis
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Scenario-based decision-making simulations
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Individual self-assessments
These tools ensure every learner remains fully involved and well-equipped to apply concepts directly in their work environment.
EXAMINATION AND CERTIFICATE
To be eligible for a certificate, you should successfully complete a 20-question multiple-choice exam at the end of the course, actively engage in team-based incident investigation and root cause analysis (RCA) practical exercises throughout, and demonstrate their ability to apply their new knowledge and skills.
Upon successful finishing the course, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion.