Which statement best describes the primary purpose of incident investigation?

• A. It focuses on assigning blame
• B. It identifies root causes and prevents recurrence
• C. It mandates disciplinary action
• D. It is optional for minor incidents

Answer: (B)

The main idea behind incident investigation is to uncover the underlying causes of an event and implement changes that prevent it from happening again. It looks beyond individual actions to how the system may have allowed the incident—such as gaps in procedures, training deficiencies, equipment issues, or management practices—and uses that understanding to drive corrective actions. By targeting root causes, you reduce the likelihood of recurrence and improve overall safety and reliability.

Focusing on assigning blame shifts attention away from learning and often discourages reporting. Disciplinary actions, while sometimes a consequence, are not the primary aim of the investigation, which is about preventing future incidents. Treating minor incidents as optional misses opportunities to identify small weaknesses that could escalate if not addressed.