Incident investigation
service
Independent incident investigations that find causes and set you on a path to change
Get a tailored quoteWhen a workplace accident or incident occurs, one of the most important questions is not simply what happened, but why it happened.
Understanding the root cause of an incident is essential for preventing recurrence, strengthening health and safety arrangements and protecting people in the future.
At AfterAthena, we provide independent incident investigations designed to identify what happened, assess why control measures failed and deliver practical recommendations that help organisations learn and improve.
Our reports take an objective, evidence-based approach, helping employers move beyond assumptions and identify the underlying factors that contributed to an incident.
Why independent investigations matter
Many organisations investigate incidents internally. Whilst this can be appropriate in some circumstances, internal investigations can be influenced by existing processes, workplace culture and assumptions about how work is carried out.
An independent investigation brings a fresh perspective.
Our consultants assess the evidence objectively, challenge existing assumptions and provide an impartial assessment of the circumstances surrounding the incident.
This can help organisations identify issues that may otherwise be overlooked and provide greater confidence in the findings and recommendations.
Understand why controls failed
Incidents rarely occur because of a single factor. Effective investigations look beyond the immediate event to examine the circumstances that allowed it to happen. We consider:
- Were risk assessments suitable and sufficient?
- Were existing procedures followed?
- Were appropriate controls in place?
- Were employees adequately trained?
- Were supervision arrangements effective?
- Were wider organisational factors involved?
The objective is not to allocate blame, but to understand why safeguards failed and what can be done to reduce the likelihood of a similar incident occurring again.
Focus on the root cause
Our investigations examine both immediate and underlying causes. This may consider:
Human Factors
Actions, decisions and behaviours that contributed to the incident.
Process Failures
Weaknesses within procedures, systems or controls.
Training and Competence
Whether individuals had the knowledge, skills and support required to carry out tasks safely.
Management and Supervision
How responsibilities were assigned and monitored.
Organisational Culture
Whether working practices, expectations or behaviours may have influenced the outcome.
By exploring these areas, we help organisations move beyond symptoms and identify meaningful improvements.
Incident investigations do not exist to assign blame
Incident investigations should not be about assigning blame.
Our reports take a balanced and objective approach, focusing on identifying facts, understanding root causes and supporting improvement.
We recognise that incidents often arise from a combination of factors rather than the actions of a single individual.
That’s why our recommendations are designed to strengthen systems, support employees and improve future outcomes rather than focus on fault-finding.
Help prevent repeat incidents
Whilst there is not always a legal requirement to commission an independent incident investigation, many organisations choose to do so following a serious accident, near miss or significant event.
Demonstrating that an organisation has properly investigated an incident, identified root causes and implemented suitable corrective actions can be an important part of managing risk and demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement.
Where incidents are subject to regulatory scrutiny, organisations may also be expected to show how lessons have been identified and acted upon. First and foremost, independent incident investigations can help prevent repeat incidents.
What you get in our incident investigation report
Following the investigation, you’ll receive a detailed report outlining:
Findings
An objective summary of the evidence reviewed and facts established.
Root Causes
The underlying factors that contributed to the incident.
Contributing Factors
Issues that may have increased the likelihood or severity of the event.
Recommendations
Practical measures to strengthen controls, improve procedures and reduce future risk.
Action Plan
A prioritised roadmap to help implement improvements and track progress.
The result is a forward-looking report focused on learning, improvement and prevention.
Ways of working with AfterAthena's health and safety
Retained service plan
An annual or multi-annual commitment to you with ongoing support and regular services delivered
Project-based
A wider project spanning a few services
One off ad-hoc
A single service based on a specific need
Why choose AfterAthena?
- Independent and objective investigations
- Experienced health and safety consultants
- Root cause analysis expertise
- Evidence-based reports
- Practical recommendations
- Non-accusatory approach
- Action-focused outcomes
- Ongoing support where required
Our aim is to help organisations understand what happened, learn from incidents and implement meaningful improvements that strengthen workplace safety.
Technology-enabled support through the AfterAthena Hub
AfterAthena Hub is available as a paid app or offered free of charge to all retainer clients. The app provides practical resources to help support effective workforce management.
The Hub includes:
- Employment law resources
- Policy guidance
- Template libraries
- Legal updates
- Practical HR support materials
- Automated legally sound policy generation
- Access to specialist support
Combined with advice from our employment law specialists, these resources help employers manage documentation more efficiently and confidently.
What our clients say
"We have used AfterAthena for some time and would highly recommend them. Extremely thankful to [the team] supporting our Company with any HR or Health and Safety issues. Reacting quickly with their expert advice and guidance throughout the whole process. Definitely going above and behond!"
Jeanette Corner, Managing Director, Mike England Timber
Get in touch
FAQs
What is a workplace incident investigation?
A workplace incident investigation is a structured review of an accident, near miss or other event to establish what happened, identify root causes and determine what improvements may be required.
Why should we use an independent investigator?
An independent investigator brings an objective perspective, helping identify issues that may be overlooked due to existing workplace practices, assumptions or organisational culture.
Is an independent incident investigation a legal requirement?
Not usually. However, many organisations choose to commission an independent investigation following a serious incident to help establish root causes and demonstrate a commitment to learning and improvement.
What is root cause analysis?
Root cause analysis is a process used to identify the underlying reasons an incident occurred, rather than focusing solely on the immediate event or individuals involved.
Do incident investigations focus on who is to blame?
No. Our investigations take a non-accusatory approach, focusing on understanding what happened, why controls failed and how future incidents can be prevented.
What factors can contribute to a workplace incident?
Contributing factors may include inadequate risk assessments, insufficient training, supervision issues, procedural weaknesses, human factors or wider organisational and cultural influences.
Can you review our risk assessments and procedures as part of the investigation?
Yes. We can review relevant risk assessments, policies, procedures, training records and other documentation to help understand why an incident occurred.
What will the investigation report include?
Reports typically include factual findings, root causes, contributing factors, recommendations and a practical action plan designed to support improvement.
Can you help implement the recommendations?
Yes. We can provide ongoing health and safety support to help implement recommendations, strengthen controls and reduce future risks.
Can incident investigations help if an incident is scrutinised by regulators?
A thorough investigation can help organisations demonstrate that they have properly considered the causes of an incident and taken steps to identify and address any lessons learned.
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