What should be the first step in any safety investigation?

The first step in any safety investigation should be the collection of factual information about the incident. This foundational step is crucial because it establishes a clear understanding of what happened, when it occurred, who was involved, and the specific circumstances surrounding the incident. Gathering factual information lays the groundwork for the investigation, enabling investigators to identify potential hazards and system failures accurately.

By focusing on objective data, such as incident reports, photographs, and witness accounts, investigators can create a timeline and context for the event, which is essential for analyzing root causes. This factual basis is what informs the subsequent steps in the investigation, such as conducting employee interviews or evaluating safety protocols, as those actions rely heavily on the initial data collected.

Without this critical first step, any subsequent analysis may be misguided or incomplete, potentially leading to incorrect conclusions regarding the incident. Hence, establishing a clear and accurate account of the facts is imperative for a successful and effective safety investigation.