What is a workplace investigation?
A workplace investigation is a:
- Fact-finding process of uncovering the cause of a particular incident
- Critical, objective and systematic examination of all components of an incident
- Tool to find workplace acts, conditions and procedures that require improvement
- Component of an incident reporting process
- Tool to prevent similar events from occurring
- Reactive part of an injury prevention process
Roles and Responsibilities for Investigations:
While the employer has the ultimate responsibility for health and safety in a workplace, joint occupational health and safety committee play a vital role in:
- Ensuring that investigations are carried out as required
- Providing meaningful investigation participation
- Advising the employer on workplace safety changes or health and safety concerns
- Supporting corrective actions and ensuring that action items are completed
- Evaluating the effectiveness of the committee’s work
What do we investigate?
- Incidents, near misses, injuries, and time loss claims
- Equipment/machine failures
- Structural or property damage
- Release of a hazardous substance
- Health and safety concerns received from a worker
- Concerns from regulatory bodies
Investigations evaluate all workplace elements related to the incident, such as:
- Tools, Equipment, Machines