Health and safety incident investigation report template

Write a clear, chronological account of what happened before, during, and after the incident. Include specific details about location, equipment involved, activities being performed, environmental conditions, and any relevant procedures that were or weren’t followed. Avoid assigning blame—focus on observable facts rather than assumptions or judgments about why people acted as they did.

Classify an incident as a “near miss” when a situation occurred that had the potential to cause injury, illness, or damage but didn’t actually result in harm. These valuable learning opportunities should be investigated with the same thoroughness as actual injuries. Near misses often share the same root causes as more serious incidents and provide a chance to address hazards before they cause harm.

Consider both actual and potential consequences when determining severity. A “minor” incident typically involves first aid treatment with no lost time. “Moderate” involves medical treatment beyond first aid. “Serious” involves lost workdays or restricted duty. “Critical” incidents involve potential fatalities, permanent disabilities, or significant property damage. Remember that even incidents with minor actual outcomes may warrant higher classification if they had potential for severe consequences.

Focus on actions that address root causes rather than symptoms. Effective corrective actions might include engineering controls (redesigning equipment), administrative controls (modifying procedures), or improved training. For each action, assign a specific responsible person and target completion date. Prioritize actions that eliminate hazards over those that merely control them, following the hierarchy of controls principle for maximum effectiveness.