What is incident investigation in NZ?
Incident investigations are a means of collating all relevant information relating to an event to determine root causes and thus enable measures (corrective actions) to be put in place to reduce the likelihood or consequence of recurrence.
For less serious events, organisations may conduct their own investigation using their own people and processes.
For more serious events, particularly those involving lost time injury or significant failure of equipment or systems, a full investigation process using trained investigators is required. Organisations need independent incident investigators as consciously or otherwise, barriers are raised / the field of vision is limited if it is done internally.
Why incident investigation matters
Incident investigations matter as they are opportunities for improvement. They serve as signposts that there is an issue. The key is ensuring events are investigated and the root cause is identified rather than the most obvious cause. Experienced investigators will look beyond the obvious, which is critical as you do not want to be addressing a cause which is not really the thing causing the event.
Our incident investigation process
We use standard incident investigation tools and techniques to produce a through and professional evaluation of root causes and develop recommendations to address any issues.
Our Investigation Methodology
Initial Response: Secure the scene, notify key personnel, and provide necessary medical care.
Data Collection: Gather information through interviews, photographs, and the preservation of physical evidence.
Expert Analysis: Determine causal factors and identify the root cause of the incident using established methodologies.
Formulate Corrective Actions: Develop and implement strategies to prevent recurrence and assign responsibilities.
Reporting: Document findings, communicate lessons learned, and file required reports.
When you might need us
Serious Harm & Fatality Investigations: High-level support for the most critical events.
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Near-Miss Analysis: Investigating “close calls” before they become actual injuries.
Regulatory Liaison: Managing communication with health and safety inspectors and government bodies.
Plant or systems failure: Supporting determination of cause and consequence of significant failures.
Case study – Warkworth near miss
A civil works company was engaged by a Main Contractor to lay services and recontour the land on a very large building site. The site was a farm and access to the site was via farm track and thus somewhat unreliable and less than ideal in terms of safety. Recognising the issue, the contractor set about widening the track. In the process some earth moving equipment slid down a bank – the operator was shaken but had no physical injury. Winsland was asked to review the contractors own investigation of the incident as it appeared to be limited.
Using an ICAM approach, we completed our own investigation and provided a written report to all parties. Our report identified a significant number of root causes which the contractors investigation had missed. This illustrates the value of a full investigation and a formal and independent process.