ADVANCED ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS AND ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS (RCA)
Mastering the Skills to Investigate Incidents, Uncover Root Causes, and Prevent Future Failures
Course Schedule
| Date | Venue | Fees (Face-to-Face) |
|---|---|---|
| 04 – 08 May 2026 | London, UK | USD 3495 per delegate |
Course Introduction
Accident investigation is a critical function in maintaining workplace safety, compliance, and operational integrity. Beyond identifying immediate causes, effective investigations must reveal systemic issues, procedural failures, and organizational weaknesses.
This intensive 5-day course provides a comprehensive methodology for conducting high-quality investigations and applying Root Cause Analysis (RCA) techniques to eliminate future incidents. Participants will learn to collect and analyze evidence, interview witnesses, use advanced RCA tools, and produce actionable reports that support sustainable corrective action.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
• Conduct thorough, structured accident investigations
• Apply multiple Root Cause Analysis (RCA) techniques effectively
• Develop causal factor charts, timelines, and event trees
• Identify organizational, technical, and behavioral root causes
• Deliver concise, evidence-based investigation reports and recommendations
Key Benefits of Attending
• Gain practical skills to lead and manage serious accident investigations
• Move beyond blaming individuals to uncover deeper system failures
• Apply industry-proven tools such as 5 Whys, Fishbone Diagrams, and Barrier Analysis
• Improve safety culture and organizational learning through effective RCA
• Ensure regulatory compliance and strengthen risk mitigation processes
Intended Audience
This program is designed for:
• Safety, HSE, and risk management professionals
• Incident investigators and audit personnel
• Operations, maintenance, and plant supervisors
• Quality assurance and compliance managers
• Anyone tasked with leading or supporting incident investigations
Individual Benefits
Key competencies that will be developed include:
• Accident scene preservation and evidence collection
• Effective interviewing and fact-finding techniques
• Systematic use of RCA tools and logic diagrams
• Writing investigation reports that drive change
• Developing actionable and sustainable corrective measures
Organization Benefits
Upon completing the training course, participants will demonstrate:
• Improved accuracy and consistency in incident investigations
• Enhanced ability to identify and address systemic safety risks
• Reduction in repeat incidents through sustainable root cause elimination
• Stronger compliance with regulatory and internal safety requirements
• Improved safety culture and risk ownership at all levels
Instructional Methdology
The course follows a blended learning approach combining theory with practice:
• Expert Briefings – Investigation frameworks and case law
• Interactive Case Studies – Historical accident reconstructions
• Simulation Exercises – Role-plays of incident scenes and interviews
• Root Cause Workshops – Use of analytical tools in group settings
• Investigation Toolkits – Templates, checklists, diagrams, and report formats
Course Outline
Training Hours: 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Daily Format: 3–4 Learning Modules | Coffee Breaks: 09:30 & 11:15 | Lunch Buffet: 01:00 – 02:00
Day 1: Foundations of Accident Investigation
Module 1: Principles of Incident Investigation (07:30 – 09:30)
• Definitions: incident, accident, near-miss
• Legal, ethical, and business drivers for investigation
• Investigation policies and responsibilities
Module 2: Investigation Planning and Scene Control (09:45 – 11:15)
• Securing the scene and preserving evidence
• Investigation protocols and team roles
• Dealing with injured parties and first responders
Module 3: Evidence Collection and Documentation (11:30 – 01:00)
• Types of evidence: physical, testimonial, documentary
• Photography, sketches, and evidence logs
• Critical data capture techniques
Module 4: Workshop – Mock Accident Scene Exercise (02:00 – 03:30)
• Group simulation: document and report findings
Day 2: Fact Finding and Interview Techniques
Module 5: Interview Planning and Preparation (07:30 – 09:30)
• Who to interview and when
• Overcoming memory bias and fear
• Interview environment setup
Module 6: Interviewing Witnesses Effectively (09:45 – 11:15)
• Open vs closed questions
• Non-confrontational interviewing
• Recording and documenting interviews
Module 7: Fact Validation and Analysis (11:30 – 01:00)
• Triangulating evidence
• Fact vs assumption
• Identifying discrepancies and information gaps
Module 8: Workshop – Witness Interview Role-Play (02:00 – 03:30)
• Practice questioning and record keeping
Day 3: Root Cause Analysis Techniques
Module 9: Introduction to RCA Frameworks (07:30 – 09:30)
• The hierarchy of causes: direct, indirect, root
• Causal factor analysis vs failure mode analysis
Module 10: RCA Tools and Models (09:45 – 11:15)
• 5 Whys
• Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram
• Change analysis and task analysis
Module 11: Event and Causal Factor Charting (11:30 – 01:00)
• Timelines, event trees, fault trees
• Barrier and control analysis
• Causal loop diagramming
Module 12: Workshop – Build a Root Cause Tree (02:00 – 03:30)
• Develop RCA output from previous day’s interview exercise
Day 4: Report Writing and Recommendations
Module 13: Report Structures and Templates (07:30 – 09:30)
• Standard formats and best practices
• Linking evidence to conclusions
• Using visuals and appendices effectively
Module 14: Writing Actionable Recommendations (09:45 – 11:15)
• SMART corrective actions
• Separating immediate, intermediate, and system-wide actions
Module 15: Presenting Findings to Management (11:30 – 01:00)
• Presenting data without blame
• Defensibility under legal/regulatory scrutiny
• Culture-sensitive communication
Module 16: Workshop – Draft a Full Incident Report (02:00 – 03:30)
• Group exercise using accumulated course data
Day 5: Complex Cases, Governance & Close-Out
Module 17: Investigating Major and Recurrent Incidents (07:30 – 09:30)
• Handling fatalities and multiple-cause failures
• External investigations and media coordination
Module 18: Systemic Issues and Organizational Factors (09:45 – 11:15)
• Latent conditions and management system failures
• Link to risk assessment and compliance audits
Module 19: Close-Out, Lessons Learned, and Safety Culture (11:30 – 01:00)
• Feedback loops and follow-up
• Lessons learned dissemination
• Building a just and learning culture
Module 20: Final Simulation – Conduct an End-to-End Investigation (02:00 – 03:30)
• Scenario-based group project and course debrief
Certification
Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion in Advanced Accident Investigations and Root Cause Analysis (RCA), demonstrating their ability to lead investigations, uncover true root causes, and develop effective solutions that enhance workplace safety and regulatory compliance.