In workplaces across the country, incidents, whether accidents, near misses, or hazards, are an inevitable part of operating any organisation.
However, the way you respond to, and learn from these incidents can have a significant impact on your organisation’s long-term safety culture, and operational efficiency. The Incident Cause Analysis Method (ICAM) is one of the most effective investigative tools to helping you understand the root causes of incidents, and prevent them from happening again.
Conducting an ICAM investigation can help your organisation improve its health, safety, and environmental practices, mitigate risks, and enhance overall performance. In this article, we’ll dive into when and why you should consider conducting an ICAM investigation.
What is an ICAM Investigation?
ICAM stands for Incident Cause Analysis Method, a structured methodology developed to identify the causes of workplace incidents.
It is widely used to uncover not just the direct causes of an incident, but the underlying factors that contributed to it. An ICAM investigation is different from traditional incident investigations because it focuses on systemic issues, rather than blaming individuals. By looking at the whole system, an ICAM investigation allows organisations to implement more effective corrective actions that reduce the likelihood of future incidents.
Why you should Conduct an ICAM Investigation
1. Root Cause Analysis
Traditional incident investigations often focus on the immediate, or direct cause of an incident. However, these investigations might miss deeper, systemic issues that contribute to accidents. The ICAM method goes beyond the surface level, and digs into the root causes of incidents.
2. Prevent Recurrence of Incidents
By focusing on root causes, the ICAM method helps prevent incidents from happening again.
The goal of an ICAM investigation is not just to determine what went wrong, but to identify ways to prevent future occurrences. This might involve improving training programs, revising standard operating procedures, or addressing safety equipment malfunctions. In turn, this leads to a safer working environment for employees, and reduces the risk of costly accidents.
3. Improves Workplace Safety Culture
One of the key principles of the ICAM method is that it promotes a non-disciplinary approach to incident investigation.
Rather than blaming individuals for errors, ICAM encourages looking at the system as a whole. When employees feel safe in reporting incidents without fear of retaliation, it promotes openness and transparency. This shift leads to greater employee engagement in safety processes, which ultimately improves the overall safety culture within your organisation.
4. Compliance with Safety Regulations
In many industries, particularly those involving high-risk operations, regulatory bodies require organisations to conduct thorough investigations into workplace incidents. Using ICAM ensures that investigations are comprehensive, and align with regulatory requirements. It also helps you stay compliant with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
5. Cost Reduction
Although conducting an ICAM investigation requires time and resources, it can prevent or reduce significant costs in the long term. By identifying the root causes of incidents, organisations can implement preventative measures that reduce the likelihood of accidents, injuries, or even fatalities. This leads to fewer compensation claims, reduced potential time off, and a lack of production shortages.
The ICAM Investigation Process
The ICAM investigation process involves several structured steps to ensure a comprehensive and thorough analysis of an incident. These steps typically include:
1. Initial Incident Assessment
The first step is to assess the severity of the incident, and determine whether an ICAM investigation is necessary. This may involve gathering initial information, such as incident reports, witness statements, and photographs/videos to understand the scale and impact of the incident.
2. Gathering Data and Evidence
In this step, investigators collect all available data related to the incident. This includes witness interviews, documentation reviews, and physical evidence. Investigators should gather information from various sources to build a complete picture of what happened.
3. Identifying the Contributing Factors
The ICAM method focuses on understanding not only the immediate cause, but also the contributing factors that may have led to the incident. Investigators look for issues like:
- Human Factors: Errors, miscommunications, or lack of training.
- Organisational Factors: Inadequate policies, poor leadership, or lack of resources.
- Technical or Equipment Failures: Machinery breakdowns, faulty equipment, or inadequate maintenance.
4. Determining Causes
The core of the ICAM method is to identify the root causes of the incident. This involves asking ‘why’ multiple times to peel back the layers of the incident, and understand the fundamental issues. Tools such as the Five Whys or Cause-and-Effect Diagrams are often used during this phase to pinpoint the systemic issues that contributed.
5. Developing Corrective Actions
Once the root causes are identified, the next step is to develop corrective actions. These are specific, targeted actions aimed at addressing the underlying issues, and preventing similar incidents. These actions could include policy changes, staff training, improvements to equipment, or modifications to workflows.
6. Implementing and Monitoring Corrective Actions
The final step is to implement the corrective actions and monitor their effectiveness. It’s crucial to track whether the changes are successfully addressing the root causes, and whether additional measures are needed. This helps ensure that the corrective actions lead to purposeful operational improvements.
The Key Benefits of ICAM Investigations
Improved Safety: By identifying all contributing factors and taking corrective actions, your organisation can significantly improve its overall safety.
Cost Efficiency: Fewer accidents mean reduced costs related to medical claims, legal fees, and insurance. It also protects the livelihood of your employees, and keeps them safe.
Employee Engagement: A transparent, respectful, and non-blaming approach encourages employees to actively take part in improving safety measures, which benefits all.
Regulatory Compliance: Thorough ICAM investigations ensure can ensure your organisation meets legal obligations for incident reporting and safety standards.
Long-term Risk Management: ICAM investigates identify trends and systemic risks, which allows your organisation to take proactive steps to manage and mitigate risks over time.
Conclusion
Conducting an ICAM investigation is an essential practice for organisations committed to improving workplace safety, reducing risks, and ensuring a positive safety culture. By identifying the root causes of incidents and implementing targeted corrective actions, organisations can prevent future incidents, comply with safety regulations, and create a safer environment for all employees.
ICAM investigations also provide long-term benefits, including reduced costs and better risk management. By adopting a structured approach to investigating incidents, organisations can turn accidents into valuable learning opportunities, and perpetuate a culture of continuous growth.
How we can Help
At People Associates, we conduct ICAM investigations to investigate major HSE events that occur within your organisation.
We also conduct thorough health and safety audits by setting up systems, writing comprehensive policies, and helping you meet all regulatory standards. Our goal is to identify risks, implement preventative measures, and create an environment where employee wellbeing is a priority.
Want a free consultation?
Flick us a message here – or contact Lisa Oakley at lisa@peopleassociates.nz or on 027 573 5483.
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