HSE inspector's guide to incident investigation
Key Information
Duration: 1 day (face-to-face) or 2 part-days (live online)
Available as: face-to-face, live online and in-house training
Price: £595 per person
Course dates
Overview
Effective incident investigation is essential for legal compliance, risk management and organisational learning. While many health and safety professionals understand the fundamentals of investigating incidents, fewer appreciate how HSE inspectors assess evidence, identify management failings and reach enforcement decisions.
This course provides a practical insight into incident investigation from an HSE inspector’s perspective. Delegates will explore how inspectors analyse incidents, determine immediate, underlying and root causes, consider human and organisational factors, and assess whether legal duties have been met.
The course also examines the link between incident investigation, risk management and enforcement action. Delivered by a HSE inspector, it offers a rare opportunity to understand how HSE investigates incidents and forms regulatory judgements.
Learning outcomes
Delegates will be provided with information that will help them to:
- Understand HSE’s role in workplace incident investigations and the legal framework that underpins them
- Understand the powers of inspectors under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and other legislation
- Recognise immediate, underlying and root causes, including the impact of human and organisational factors
- Understand how inspectors gather and evaluate evidence, obtain witness accounts and analyse management systems
- Understand how investigation findings can influence enforcement decisions and how those decision are made, including any decision to prosecute
- Identify ways that organisations can improve their own internal investigation processes to achieve sustained compliance with health and safety legislation
What the course will cover
The course follows HSE’s investigative approach from initial notification through to evidence gathering, interviews, causal analysis, conclusions and enforcement considerations. Delegates will examine how inspectors assess compliance, identify failings in management systems and determine whether legal duties have been breached. Through practical exercises, discussion and a case study, participants will gain valuable insight into how investigation findings can be used to strengthen health and safety performance and reduce the likelihood of enforcement action.
Who should attend?
This course is designed for health and safety professionals, senior managers, operational managers, compliance specialists, business owners and anyone who acts as the interface between their organisation and HSE.
It is intended for delegates with a good understanding of health and safety management who are looking to develop a more advanced understanding of incident investigation. Those seeking an introductory-level course should consider the NEBOSH HSE Introduction to Incident Investigation qualification.
Book your place(s)
Course fees include all resources and a certificate of attendance (please note that all courses must be paid for via credit card at the time of booking).
Click the button below to view upcoming course dates, prices and to book your place(s).
In-house training
This course can be delivered to larger groups at a suitable, agreed location anywhere in the UK or internationally, online, or at the HSE Science and Research Centre. Content can also be tailored to meet organisations' own needs. Please get in touch on GOV.UK to find out more.