Incident Investigation
Incident Investigation is a systematic process of examining workplace accidents, near-misses, or safety events to understand why they happened and prevent them from occurring again. It's like being a safety detective - gathering information, interviewing witnesses, and piecing together what went wrong. Companies value this skill because it helps keep workers safe and reduces costly accidents. Similar terms include "accident investigation," "root cause analysis," or "safety investigation." This process is essential in industries like manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and any workplace where safety is a priority.
Examples in Resumes
Led Incident Investigation team that reduced workplace accidents by 40% over two years
Conducted 50+ Accident Investigations resulting in improved safety procedures
Trained staff in Safety Investigation techniques and root cause analysis
Managed Incident Investigation documentation and follow-up processes for manufacturing facility
Typical job title: "Safety Investigators"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Safety Investigators
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Job Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a complex incident investigation involving multiple departments and conflicting witness statements?
Expected Answer: Should discuss leadership skills, conflict resolution, systematic approach to evidence gathering, ability to remain objective, and experience bringing different stakeholders together to reach conclusions.
Q: Describe how you would implement changes across an organization based on investigation findings.
Expected Answer: Should explain change management process, communication strategies, training programs, and methods to ensure new safety procedures are followed long-term.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What steps do you take when conducting an incident investigation?
Expected Answer: Should describe securing the scene, gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, analyzing data, determining root causes, and making recommendations for prevention.
Q: How do you determine root causes in an incident investigation?
Expected Answer: Should explain methods like 5-Why analysis, cause-and-effect diagrams, and how to distinguish between immediate and underlying causes of incidents.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What documentation is important in an incident investigation?
Expected Answer: Should mention incident reports, witness statements, photographs, diagrams, injury reports, and maintenance records as key documentation.
Q: Why is it important to investigate near-misses?
Expected Answer: Should explain that near-misses are warning signs that could prevent future accidents, and investigating them helps identify and fix safety issues before injuries occur.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic incident report writing
- Evidence collection and documentation
- Interview basics
- Understanding of safety regulations
Mid (2-5 years)
- Root cause analysis techniques
- Investigation team leadership
- Safety recommendation development
- Corrective action planning
Senior (5+ years)
- Complex investigation management
- Program development and oversight
- Change implementation across organizations
- Training and mentoring others
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of basic safety regulations and standards
- Poor attention to detail in documentation
- Lack of experience with root cause analysis
- Unable to demonstrate objective investigation methods
- No understanding of incident prevention strategies
Related Terms
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