Lesson 1.2: Key Terminology and Concepts
Understanding the fundamental terms and concepts used in incident investigation
Introduction
Effective incident investigation requires a clear understanding of the terminology and concepts used in the field. This lesson provides definitions and explanations of key terms that will be used throughout this training program.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Define key terms related to incident investigation
- Differentiate between types of incidents and their classifications
- Understand the concepts of immediate causes, root causes, and contributing factors
- Explain the relationship between different investigation concepts
Basic Incident Terminology
Incident
An unplanned event that results in, or has the potential to result in, injury, illness, damage to property, damage to the environment, or a combination of these. Incidents include accidents, near misses, and other unwanted events.
Accident
An unplanned event that results in injury, illness, property damage, or environmental damage. Accidents are a subset of incidents that have actual negative consequences.
Near Miss
An unplanned event that did not result in injury, illness, or damage but had the potential to do so. Near misses are valuable opportunities for learning and prevention.
Hazard
A source or situation with the potential to cause harm in terms of human injury or ill health, damage to property, damage to the environment, or a combination of these.
Risk
The combination of the likelihood of a hazardous event occurring and the severity of injury or damage that could result from that event. Risk is often expressed as: Risk = Likelihood × Severity.
Incident Classification
Fatality
An incident resulting in death
Major Injury
Serious injury requiring hospitalization
Minor Injury
Injury requiring first aid only
Property Damage
Damage to equipment or facilities
Causation Concepts
The Causation Chain
Incidents typically result from a chain of events and conditions. Understanding this chain is critical for effective investigation:
Immediate Causes
The most obvious reasons why an incident occurred. These are typically the unsafe acts or conditions that directly led to the incident. Examples include:
- Operating equipment at unsafe speed
- Using defective equipment
- Bypassing safety devices
- Poor housekeeping
Underlying Causes
The reasons why the immediate causes existed. These are typically related to job factors or personal factors. Examples include:
- Inadequate training or supervision
- Poor equipment maintenance
- Inadequate work procedures
- Fatigue or stress
Root Causes
The fundamental reasons why the incident occurred. These are typically systemic failures in the management system. Examples include:
- Inadequate risk assessment
- Insufficient resources for safety
- Poor safety culture
- Inadequate management systems
Investigation Concepts
Preliminary Investigation
Initial fact-finding conducted immediately after an incident to determine basic information and secure the scene.
Full Investigation
Comprehensive investigation to identify all causes and develop effective recommendations to prevent recurrence.
Evidence
Information, objects, or testimony that helps establish facts about an incident.
Corrective Actions
Measures taken to eliminate or control identified hazards and prevent recurrence.
Key Takeaways
- Incidents include accidents, near misses, and other unwanted events
- Incidents are classified based on severity, from fatalities to property damage
- The causation chain includes immediate, underlying, and root causes
- Effective investigations focus on root causes rather than just immediate causes
- Understanding terminology is essential for effective communication during investigations