Course Overview:
The Incident Investigation & Root Cause Analysis Training Course equips professionals with the tools and techniques necessary to conduct thorough workplace incident investigations and identify root causes effectively. Designed with compliance-based incident training in mind, this course integrates advanced root cause mapping techniques, hazard analysis, and investigation strategies aligned with industry best practices from the Root Cause Map Guidance. Participants will learn how to conduct structured and effective root cause analyses, leveraging proven RCA tools to mitigate risk, enhance safety, and reduce recurrence of incidents across various industries. Whether dealing with equipment failure, human error, or environmental factors, this hands-on course empowers safety professionals, managers, and HSE leaders to build a proactive safety culture. By incorporating accident prevention strategies, workplace safety protocols, and risk-based problem-solving, the course ensures every participant is ready to apply these skills immediately upon returning to their workplace.
Target Audience:
- HSE Managers and Officers
- Operations Supervisors
- Safety Engineers
- Risk and Compliance Managers
- Maintenance Supervisors
- Industrial Engineers
- Project Managers
- Team Leaders and Quality Assurance Officers
Targeted Organizational Departments:
- Health, Safety and Environment (HSE)
- Risk Management and Compliance
- Operations and Production
- Engineering and Maintenance
- Quality Assurance
- Human Resources
Targeted Industries:
- Oil and Gas
- Manufacturing
- Construction
- Transportation and Logistics
- Utilities and Energy
- Pharmaceuticals
- Mining
- Food and Beverage
Course Offerings:
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Conduct structured incident investigations using advanced reporting methods
- Apply root cause analysis tools and mapping techniques
- Identify and mitigate hazards and human factors contributing to incidents
- Develop and implement corrective and preventive actions
- Strengthen compliance-based reporting and analysis processes
- Promote a safety culture through effective communication and accountability
- Reduce risks and recurrence using risk-based problem-solving techniques
- Align investigations with ISO, OSHA, and industry-specific standards
Training Methodology:
This course adopts a practical, interactive approach using real-world case studies, group discussions, and collaborative problem-solving workshops. Participants will engage in hands-on simulations that mirror actual workplace incidents. Each session includes feedback loops, team-based scenario analysis, and interactive mapping using Root Cause Map Guidance. The training emphasizes active participation, with activities designed to reinforce RCA tools, incident prevention strategies, and post-incident analysis techniques. Learning methods include:
- Root Cause Mapping Exercises
- Video-Based Scenarios and Case Studies
- Structured Feedback and Coaching
- Quizzes and Real-Time Assessments
Course Toolbox:
- Root Cause Map templates (examples only)
- Digital checklists for incident response
- Interactive RCA software demos
- Sample investigation reports
- Worksheets for cause mapping and risk prioritization
- Access to post-course resource hub
Course Toolbox:
Day 1: Fundamentals of Incident Investigation
- Topic 1: Understanding the nature and types of workplace incidents
- Topic 2: Roles and responsibilities in incident investigation
- Topic 3: Overview of incident investigation standards and regulatory expectations
- Topic 4: Initiating the investigation: notification, preservation, and team selection
- Topic 5: Evidence collection and witness interview techniques
- Topic 6: Event timeline development and initial hypothesis building
- Reflection & Review: Key steps in launching structured and compliant investigations
Day 2: Root Cause Analysis and the Root Cause Map
- Topic 1: Introduction to root cause analysis methods and principles
- Topic 2: Understanding the structure of the Root Cause Map
- Topic 3: Using RCA tools: 5 Whys, Fishbone, and Fault Tree Analysis
- Topic 4: Mapping human factors, equipment, and environmental causes
- Topic 5: Distinguishing between immediate, contributing, and root causes
- Topic 6: Using the Root Cause Map to identify systematic breakdownsRoot_Cause_Map_Guidance…
- Reflection & Review: Case-based practice on navigating the Root Cause Map
Day 3: Administrative, Procedural, and Systemic Factors
- Topic 1: Administrative/management system failures and problem identificationRoot_Cause_Map_Guidance…
- Topic 2: Audits, reporting systems, and learning from failed implementationsRoot_Cause_Map_Guidance…
- Topic 3: Breakdown in training, supervision, and procedural adequacy
- Topic 4: SPACs: standards, policies, and administrative controlsRoot_Cause_Map_Guidance…
- Topic 5: Organizational culture, communication gaps, and shift handoffsRoot_Cause_Map_Guidance…
- Topic 6: Using cause categories to classify administrative root causes
- Reflection & Review: Root cause tracing from organizational system failure
Day 4: Maintenance, Human Error, and Corrective Actions
- Topic 1: Troubleshooting and failure diagnostics errorsRoot_Cause_Map_Guidance…
- Topic 2: Predictive vs corrective maintenance and implementation gapsRoot_Cause_Map_Guidance…
- Topic 3: Personnel error vs system design flaws – identifying human root causes
- Topic 4: Ineffective corrective actions and why problems recurRoot_Cause_Map_Guidance…
- Topic 5: Building sustainable corrective and preventive action (CAPA) plans
- Topic 6: Risk-based prioritization of corrective actions and follow-up audits
- Reflection & Review: Lessons learned from recurring failures and action tracking
Day 5: Final Mapping, Audit, and Safety Culture Integration
- Topic 1: Performing root cause audits and verifying effectiveness
- Topic 2: Building dashboards to trend and monitor root causes
- Topic 3: Embedding RCA into quality, safety, and compliance systems
- Topic 4: Facilitating team-based RCA workshops across departments
- Topic 5: Developing RCA reporting standards for regulatory compliance
- Topic 6: Integrating RCA into continuous improvement and safety culture programs
- Reflection & Review: Group presentations on full-case incident analysis and root cause mapping
FAQ:
What specific qualifications or prerequisites are needed for participants before enrolling in the course?
No formal prerequisites are required. However, a basic understanding of safety procedures, quality systems, or operational processes is helpful.
How long is each day's session, and is there a total number of hours required for the entire course?
Each day's session is generally structured to last around 4-5 hours, with breaks and interactive activities included. The total course duration spans five days, approximately 20-25 hours of instruction.
What’s the difference between a root cause and a contributing cause?
As detailed in the Root Cause Map Guidance, a root cause is the fundamental reason for an incident, whereas a contributing cause is a condition or action that adds to the incident but is not the primary origin.
How This Course is Different from Other Incident Investigation Courses:
Unlike general safety training, this course is deeply anchored in real-world applications of root cause analysis for HSE professionals and is built around the Root Cause Map Guidance, a recognized standard in many high-risk industries. It focuses on effective RCA methodologies that go beyond surface-level fixes, providing the structure and confidence to uncover deep, systemic issues. The integration of tools like fault trees, cause mapping, and structured investigation protocols ensures that participants walk away with risk-based problem-solving skills that are immediately applicable. Moreover, the course promotes cross-departmental collaboration between safety, operations, engineering, and compliance, helping to embed a robust safety culture and reduce future incidents across the organization.
