Investigation Training and Services in London, the south east & beyond

ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION SKILLS

A practical one‑day course for professionals who need to investigate workplace accidents, incidents, and near‑misses with confidence and consistency.

Workplace accidents and incidents require a prompt, structured, and fair investigation.

This course gives delegates the practical skills to gather facts, understand what happened, identify root causes, and make informed recommendations that improve safety and prevent recurrence.

Through guided input, realistic scenarios, and hands‑on exercises, participants learn how to conduct accident investigations that are thorough, defensible, and aligned with organisational and regulatory expectations.

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COURSE OVERVIEW

Duration: 1 Day
Level: Practitioner

Delivery: In-person or virtual

Accident Investigation Skills is a practical one‑day course designed to help professionals respond confidently and consistently when workplace accidents, incidents, or near‑misses occur.

The programme provides a clear, structured approach to gathering facts, understanding what happened, and identifying the underlying causes that contributed to the event.

Delegates learn how to conduct effective interviews, assess evidence, analyse root causes, and make recommendations that improve safety and prevent recurrence.

Through guided input, realistic scenarios, and hands‑on exercises, participants develop the capability to carry out accident investigations that are thorough, defensible, and aligned with organisational and regulatory expectations.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

This course is ideal for anyone responsible for responding to, reviewing, or investigating workplace accidents, incidents, or near‑misses. It is designed for professionals who need a clear, structured approach to fact‑finding, evidence gathering, and identifying root causes.

Typical attendees include:

Health & Safety professionals
Line managers and supervisors
HR and Employee Relations teams
Operations and facilities managers
Risk, compliance, and audit teams
Team leaders responsible for reporting or reviewing incidents
Anyone involved in accident reporting, investigation, or corrective action planning

Whether you are new to accident investigation or looking to strengthen existing skills, this course provides practical, confidence‑building techniques that can be applied immediately in any workplace environment.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

By the end of this one‑day course, delegates will have the skills and confidence to carry out structured, reliable accident and incident investigations.

Participants will learn how to:

Respond effectively when an accident, incident, or near‑miss occurs
Gather accurate information through evidence collection and fact‑finding
Conduct clear, fair interviews with those involved or who witnessed the event
Identify immediate, underlying, and root causes using practical analysis tools
Assess contributing factors such as environment, equipment, systems, and behaviours
Record findings in a clear, structured format that supports organisational learning
Make practical recommendations that improve safety and help prevent recurrence
Apply best‑practice principles aligned with organisational and regulatory expectations

These skills can be used immediately in any workplace setting, helping organisations strengthen safety culture and reduce the likelihood of future incidents.

COURSE FORMAT

This is a one‑day, in‑person (or virtual) training course designed to be practical, structured, and highly interactive. Delegates take part in guided discussions, short exercises, and realistic accident‑based scenarios that build confidence in gathering facts, analysing causes, and making informed recommendations. The course blends trainer‑led input with hands‑on activities to ensure participants can apply the techniques immediately in real workplace situations.

The course includes:

Trainer‑led input on accident and incident investigation techniques
Group discussion and reflection on real‑world safety challenges
Practical exercises in evidence gathering, interviewing, and note‑taking
Step‑by‑step guidance on identifying immediate, underlying, and root causes
Tools and methods for analysing contributing factors and system failures
Best‑practice guidance on reporting, corrective actions, and prevention
Optional peer review and feedback on investigation findings

No prior accident investigation experience is required — just a willingness to learn, participate, and apply a structured approach to improving workplace safety.

Module 1: Understanding Accident & Incident Investigation

An introduction to why accident investigations matter, how they support legal and organisational responsibilities, and the role they play in preventing recurrence. Delegates explore key principles such as fairness, accuracy, and proportionality, setting the foundation for a structured approach.

Module 2: Responding to an Accident or Incident

This module covers the immediate steps required when an accident, incident, or near‑miss occurs. Delegates learn how to secure the scene, gather initial information, manage safety risks, and ensure evidence is preserved. The focus is on calm, consistent, and compliant first responses.

Module 3: Gathering Evidence and Establishing the Facts

Delegates learn how to collect and assess different types of evidence, including physical evidence, documentation, digital records, and witness accounts. This module introduces practical methods for organising information and building a clear picture of what happened.

Module 4: Conducting Effective Witness Interviews

A practical module focused on interviewing those involved or who witnessed the event. Delegates learn how to ask clear, non‑leading questions, explore inconsistencies, and gather reliable information in a fair and structured way.

Module 5: Identifying Immediate, Underlying, and Root Causes

Using simple, practical analysis tools, participants learn how to move beyond surface‑level explanations and identify the deeper factors that contributed to the accident. This includes human factors, environmental conditions, equipment issues, and organisational systems.

Module 6: Analysing Contributing Factors

This module helps delegates assess how processes, training, supervision, communication, and workplace culture may have influenced the event. The focus is on understanding the wider context rather than assigning blame.

Module 7: Writing Clear, Defensible Investigation Reports

Delegates learn how to structure their findings, present evidence clearly, and write reports that support decision‑making and corrective actions. The module includes practical guidance on clarity, neutrality, and documenting recommendations.

Module 8: Practical Scenario‑Based Investigation Exercise

The course concludes with a realistic accident investigation scenario. Delegates gather evidence, conduct interviews, analyse causes, and present their findings. This hands‑on module consolidates learning and builds confidence in applying the full investigation process.