Accident Investigation: A Manager's Guide to Root Cause Analysis

⏱️ 20 minutes

Accident Investigation: A Manager’s Guide to Root Cause Analysis

Accident Investigation Training Course

Workplace accidents are rarely the result of a single mistake—they are almost always the outcome of deeper system failures. This course equips managers and supervisors with a practical, structured approach to accident investigation that focuses on prevention, not blame.

Participants learn how to respond immediately to incidents, preserve critical evidence, conduct effective interviews, and apply root cause analysis techniques—such as the 5 Whys—to uncover the real reasons accidents occur.

The course emphasizes translating findings into measurable, corrective actions using the OSHA/NIOSH Hierarchy of Controls, ensuring lessons learned lead to lasting safety improvements. Designed for real-world application, this training helps organizations meet regulatory expectations while strengthening their overall safety management system.

After completing this course, participants will understand the true purpose of accident investigation, know how to take appropriate immediate actions following incidents, collect and document evidence correctly, conduct non-confrontational witness interviews, and develop effective corrective actions that prevent recurrence.

What You’ll Learn

  • Investigation Purpose - Understand why blame-focused approaches fail and what effective investigation achieves
  • Immediate Response - Take appropriate actions following a workplace incident to protect people and preserve evidence
  • Evidence Collection - Document investigation data correctly including photos, statements, and reports
  • Interview Techniques - Conduct effective, non-confrontational witness interviews that uncover facts
  • Root Cause Analysis - Apply proven techniques to identify system failures beyond surface-level causes
  • 5 Whys Method - Use this powerful tool to drill down to underlying organizational issues
  • Corrective Actions - Develop SMART corrective actions that prevent recurrence
  • Hierarchy of Controls - Apply OSHA/NIOSH principles to prioritize effective risk reduction measures when determining corrective actions
  • Incident Review Meetings - Participate in or lead productive investigation review sessions

Course Details

Duration: 20 minutes
Format: Self Paced Online Training
Assessment: Knowledge quiz with immediate feedback
Certification: Certificate of completion upon passing
Access: Available 24/7 through Training Director LMS

Who Should Take This Course

  • Managers and supervisors
  • Safety coordinators and administrators
  • Operations and maintenance leads
  • HR professionals involved in incident management
  • Anyone responsible for investigating workplace accidents or near misses
  • Team leaders and department heads

Key Topics Covered

This training addresses essential investigation competencies:

  • Purpose and principles of accident investigation
  • Roles and responsibilities during investigations
  • Immediate response and scene control
  • Evidence collection and documentation requirements
  • Interview techniques and best practices
  • Root cause vs. immediate cause analysis
  • Common system and organizational failures
  • Corrective action planning and verification
  • OSHA recordkeeping and reporting requirements
  • Hierarchy of Controls application

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the true purpose of accident investigation and why blame-focused approaches fail
  • Take appropriate immediate actions following a workplace incident
  • Collect and document investigation data correctly, including photos, statements, and reports
  • Conduct effective, non-confrontational witness interviews
  • Apply root cause analysis techniques to identify system failures
  • Use the 5 Whys method to move beyond surface-level causes
  • Develop SMART corrective actions that prevent recurrence
  • Apply the Hierarchy of Controls to prioritize effective risk reduction measures
  • Participate in or lead productive incident review meetings

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the training take?
The course takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. Managers can complete it in one session or break it into segments that fit their schedule.

Is this training OSHA compliant?
Training content is based on OSHA and other relevant industry standards.

Do participants receive a certificate?
Yes. Upon successful completion, participants can generate a certificate of completion. All progress is stored and accessible in the main dashboard under Learner Report.

Is this suitable for first-time investigators?
Absolutely. The course provides step-by-step guidance for managers new to accident investigation while also offering valuable insights for experienced investigators.

Can we customize this for our investigation process?
While the core content is standardized, the principles taught can be applied to any organization’s specific investigation procedures and forms.

Get Started

Accident Investigation Training is included with the Intelligent Plan.

  1. Sign up - You can begin on the free plan and upgrade when you’re ready to assign courses.
  2. Complete the company risk assessment (required) - It takes less than 15 minutes. Answer all questions as accurately as possible so we can set up your account correctly.
  3. Access your dashboard - After submitting the assessment, you’ll be redirected to your dashboard.
  4. Click Training Director - Start assigning courses to your team.

Get Started

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