NEBOSH Practice Test

Why should major incidents be investigated by employers?

1. To assign blame to employees

2. To establish lessons learnt and prevent recurrence

3. To comply with legal obligations

4. To gather data for insurance claims

The correct answer is: To establish lessons learnt and prevent recurrence

Investigating major incidents is essential for employers primarily to establish lessons learned and prevent recurrence. This approach focuses on understanding the root causes of the incident, which can lead to improvements in safety procedures and policies. By analyzing what went wrong, organizations can effectively implement changes that minimize the risk of similar incidents happening in the future. This process often includes identifying gaps in training, communication, or equipment that may have contributed to the incident. Learning from past incidents is crucial to fostering a culture of safety within the workplace, where employees feel secure and informed. The insights gained from a thorough investigation can lead to enhanced training programs, better safety measures, and more robust operational protocols, ultimately creating a safer environment for everyone involved. While fulfilling legal obligations and supporting insurance claims are also important considerations, the primary goal of an investigation should be to improve safety and performance rather than to allocate blame or merely meet regulatory requirements.