Accident Investigation Techniques

Accident investigation techniques involve systematically examining an incident to determine its cause and prevent future occurrences. This process includes collecting evidence such as photos, witness accounts, and physical samples; analyzing the sequence of events; and identifying underlying factors like human error, equipment failure, or environmental conditions. Techniques often used are interviews, scene inspections, and root cause analysis methods such as the “5 Whys” or fishbone diagrams. The goal is to understand what happened, why it happened, and how to improve safety measures accordingly. Effective investigations help organizations learn from incidents and reduce the risk of recurrence.