Incident investigation is the process of systematically examining an unexpected event or situation, such as an accident, failure, or near miss, to determine the cause(s) and contributing factors, and to make recommendations to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The investigation process typically involves collecting and analyzing data, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing relevant documents.

The goal of an incident investigation is to identify the root cause(s) of the incident and develop solutions to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. This can involve identifying any shortcomings in policies, procedures, equipment, or training, and making appropriate changes to improve overall safety and reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future. An effective incident investigation program is an important component of a comprehensive safety management system and can help an organization maintain a safe and healthy work environment.