Accident investigation
A systematic process for determining the causes of a workplace accident or incident in order to prevent recurrence. Employers are required to investigate accidents and their findings must be recorded.
Also known as
By jurisdiction
UK HSE
“accident investigation”SharedMHSWR 1999 regulation 5 requires employers to plan, organise, control, monitor and review their health and safety arrangements, which includes investigating accidents and reviewing risk assessments in light of findings. Safety representatives have a statutory right to investigate accidents and dangerous occurrences under the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977.
Irish HSA
“accident investigation”SharedThe Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (section 8) requires employers to manage safety, which encompasses accident investigation. Safety representatives have rights to investigate accidents under section 25 of the Act. HSA guidance recommends a structured root-cause analysis approach.
US OSHA
“incident investigation”SharedOSHA 29 CFR 1910.119(m) (PSM) requires investigation of incidents that did or could have resulted in a catastrophic release. 29 CFR 1904 requires recording and reporting of injuries and illnesses. OSHA encourages but does not universally require accident investigation; the General Duty Clause supports investigation as part of hazard identification.
Practitioner note: Investigate to find causes, not blame. MHSWR regulation 5 requires the arrangements, and the record is what an inspector asks for first. Keep the findings and the resulting actions in the same place.