Incident Investigation and Root Cause Analysis
When an incident happens, the priority is to understand why — so it never happens again. We provide independent, structured incident investigation that finds the real root causes, not just the symptoms, and turns them into lasting corrective action.
The Legal Duty to Investigate
After a workplace incident, the temptation is to focus on the immediate cause and the person closest to it. But incidents almost always have deeper root causes in systems, design, supervision, or culture. An investigation that stops at the immediate cause guarantees the incident will recur — and exposes the organisation to repeat enforcement action and harm.
We conduct independent investigations using structured root cause analysis methodology. Independence matters: an internal investigation can be influenced by hierarchy or blame. We report objectively, identify the systemic root causes, and produce corrective actions that prevent recurrence rather than simply assigning fault.
The Occupational Health and Safety Act requires employers to investigate incidents and record and report them as prescribed. The General Administrative Regulations set out reportable incidents and the requirement to investigate and take corrective action. A defensible investigation also protects the organisation in any subsequent inquiry or claim.
- Duty to investigate reportable incidents under the OHSA and General Administrative Regulations
- Recording and reporting of incidents to the inspectorate where required
- Corrective action to prevent recurrence, not just immediate response
- Preservation of evidence and witness statements
- Objective, blame-free analysis focused on systemic causes
Our Investigation Process
Rapid Response & Evidence Preservation
Where engaged early, we help secure the scene, preserve evidence, and take initial witness statements before memories fade or the site is disturbed.
Information Gathering
We interview witnesses and those involved, review documentation, procedures, training records, and equipment, and examine the physical and environmental conditions.
Timeline & Causal Analysis
We reconstruct the sequence of events and apply structured root cause analysis to move beyond the immediate cause to the underlying systemic factors.
Findings & Root Causes
We document the findings, the immediate causes, and the root causes in management systems, design, supervision, or culture that allowed the incident to occur.
Corrective Action Plan
We produce a corrective and preventive action plan with owners and target dates, and can support implementation and verification of effectiveness.
What You Receive
- Independent incident investigation report
- Reconstructed timeline of events
- Structured root cause analysis with immediate and systemic causes
- Witness statements and evidence register
- Corrective and preventive action plan with owners and due dates
- Executive summary for management, insurers, or the inspectorate as required
Who This Is For
- Organisations that have experienced a reportable or serious incident in Gauteng and SADC
- Companies wanting an independent investigation free of internal bias
- Safety and operations managers needing defensible findings
- Insurers and legal teams requiring structured cause analysis
- Organisations wanting to prevent recurrence of near-misses and incidents
Case Study: Beyond the Immediate Cause
A manufacturer engaged us after a serious hand injury on a press. The initial internal view blamed operator error. Our investigation confirmed the operator action but identified the root causes: an unreliable safeguarding interlock, a production-pressure culture that discouraged stopping the line, and inadequate training on the specific hazard.
Result: Corrective action addressed the interlock, the production culture, and the training — not just the operator. A follow-up review six months later confirmed no recurrence and a measurable improvement in near-miss reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use an external investigator?+
Independence removes internal bias and hierarchy from the findings. An external investigator is also free to identify systemic causes that an internal team may be reluctant to surface. The result is a more defensible, more useful investigation.
What is root cause analysis?+
It is a structured method that moves beyond the immediate cause of an incident to the underlying systemic causes — in design, systems, supervision, or culture. Fixing root causes prevents recurrence; fixing only the immediate cause does not.
When should we engage you after an incident?+
As soon as possible. Early engagement lets us help preserve evidence and take witness statements while they are fresh. However, we can also investigate incidents some time after they occurred, though evidence quality may be reduced.
Is the investigation report shared with the inspectorate?+
Only if you instruct us to. The report is prepared for your management. We can produce a version suitable for the inspectorate or insurers where required, and we will advise on what must legally be reported.