Garbage Investigations
As you’d expect in my role, I spend a lot of time talking with clients and would-be clients about ICAM and investigations.
My aim in these conversations is to obviously sell our services, including ICAM training and ICAM investigations.
I enjoy these conversations (generally!). I don’t always win the sale, but in nearly every conversation, I get the opportunity to learn about a business and the challenges they face. At times, I’ve been able to assist them even if it isn’t ICAM related, sharing experiences learned over the years in the industry.
On the flip side of these, there are also some difficult conversations had.
With so many investigation methodologies out there, there will always be supporters of one method over another.
I’m a realist. I know that’s how business works.
But the one thing I’ve learned over the years in the industry, and it’s not just investigation-related, is that if you put garbage in, you’re going to get garbage out.
GIGO. Garbage In, Garbage Out. It’s a term that’s been around for years.
Regardless of the task you’re doing, but especially in incident investigations, if you don’t take the time to do things properly, to rush through, to shortcut processes, and so on, the reality is, you’re not going to get a great outcome.
Garbage In, Garbage Out.
This is not an ICAM thing- this is any investigation process!
Over the years, we’ve written many articles to help investigators produce quality investigation outcomes. Let’s recap some of these, and work towards preventing garbage investigations.
PRE-INCIDENT PREPARATION
What Makes a Good Investigator?
https://www.safetywise.com/single-post/2019/02/05/what-makes-a-good-investigator
The Link Between Near Misses and Significant Events
Indicators Of Unsafe Conditions- How Spider-Man Can Help Us
Emergency Response Plans- Planning Before The Incident
Proactive Application of ICAM Principles
https://www.safetywise.com/single-post/2019/02/13/proactive-application-of-icam-principles
DURING THE INVESTIGATION
Who Are The Four Horsemen of Investigations?
https://www.safetywise.com/single-post/who-are-the-four-horsemen-of-investigations
The Relationship Between ICAM and 5 Whys
https://www.safetywise.com/single-post/the-relationship-between-icam-and-5-whys
Securing The Scene, Preserve The Evidence
https://www.safetywise.com/single-post/2016/08/30/secure-the-scene-preserve-the-evidence
5 Steps to Improved Scene Photography
https://www.safetywise.com/single-post/2016/12/07/5-steps-to-improved-scene-photography
The Importance of Focusing On The Organisational Factors During an Investigation
Red Herrings In Workplace Incident Investigations
https://www.safetywise.com/single-post/2018/10/03/-red-herrings-in-workplace-incident-investigations
Witness Interviewing: How To Deal With Reluctant Witnesses
Developing PEEPO For Your Incident Investigation
https://www.safetywise.com/single-post/2016/08/29/developing-peepo-for-your-incident-investigation
Human Factors, Human Error and The Role Of Bad Luck In Incident Investigations
AFTER THE INVESTIGATION Challenge Your Thinking
https://www.safetywise.com/single-post/challenge-your-thinking
Those Who Fail to Learn From History Are Doomed To Repeat It
Best Practice Writing Style Principles for Preparing Quality Incident Investigation Reports
How Could It Have Happen Again?
https://www.safetywise.com/single-post/2016/09/27/how-could-it-have-happened-again
Interested in Knowing More?
Further information on Safety Wise’s Incident Cause Analysis (ICAM) Training is available from our website: http://www.safetywise.com/
Additional ICAM Related Services
Safety Wise also offers the following additional services for sites that adopt the ICAM investigation analysis method:
Quality review of incident investigations using ICAM
Trend analysis of organisational factors contributing to serious incidents
Participation in investigations as an external / independent party
