bizSAFE Incident Investigation — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a workplace incident investigation under Singapore's WSH framework?
- To identify root causes and prevent recurrence, not to assign blame (Correct answer)
- To gather evidence to support disciplinary action against responsible employees
- To satisfy the insurance company's requirements for a claims payout
- To document the incident for inclusion in the annual report
Correct answer: To identify root causes and prevent recurrence, not to assign blame
The primary purpose of incident investigation under the WSH framework is to identify the root causes — not just the immediate causes — so that corrective actions can be implemented to prevent the same incident from happening again.
Question 2: What is the difference between an 'immediate cause' and a 'root cause' in incident investigation?
- An immediate cause is the direct trigger of the incident, while a root cause is the underlying systemic reason that allowed the immediate cause to occur (Correct answer)
- Immediate causes are investigated by management; root causes are investigated by MOM
- Root causes only apply to fatal accidents, not near-misses
- There is no practical difference — both terms refer to what triggered the incident
Correct answer: An immediate cause is the direct trigger of the incident, while a root cause is the underlying systemic reason that allowed the immediate cause to occur
The immediate cause is the direct action or condition that triggered the incident (e.g., a worker slipped). The root cause is the deeper systemic failure that created the conditions (e.g., inadequate maintenance procedures). Addressing only immediate causes does not prevent recurrence.
Question 3: What should a first responder do to preserve the incident scene before investigation begins?
- Secure the area, attend to injured persons, and do not disturb the scene unless necessary to prevent further harm (Correct answer)
- Clean up the scene immediately to prevent slip and fall hazards for other workers
- Take photographs and then resume normal operations as quickly as possible
- Allow all workers to view the scene so they understand the danger
Correct answer: Secure the area, attend to injured persons, and do not disturb the scene unless necessary to prevent further harm
The incident scene must be secured to allow proper investigation. Injured persons should receive medical attention, but the scene itself should not be disturbed unless doing so is necessary to prevent further harm or injury.
Question 4: Which of the following tools is commonly used in WSH incident investigation to systematically identify root causes?
- The '5 Whys' technique (Correct answer)
- The SWOT analysis framework
- The balanced scorecard method
- The Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle
Correct answer: The '5 Whys' technique
The '5 Whys' technique involves repeatedly asking 'Why?' to peel back layers of causation until the root cause is identified. It is a simple and effective tool widely used in WSH incident investigation.
Question 5: Under the WSH Act, which type of workplace accident must be reported to MOM?
- Any accident that results in death, major injury, or more than 3 days of medical leave (Correct answer)
- All minor accidents regardless of the severity of injury
- Only accidents involving foreign workers
- Only accidents that result in hospitalisation for more than 24 hours
Correct answer: Any accident that results in death, major injury, or more than 3 days of medical leave
Under the WSH (Incident Reporting) Regulations, employers must report accidents that result in a fatality, a major injury, or a medical leave period exceeding 3 consecutive days. Less serious incidents may be recorded but do not require MOM reporting.
Question 6: What should be included in a workplace incident investigation report?
- Description of the incident, sequence of events, immediate and root causes, and corrective actions with assigned responsibilities and timelines (Correct answer)
- Only the name of the injured person and the date of the incident
- A financial estimate of the cost of the accident to the company
- Statements from witnesses only, without management analysis
Correct answer: Description of the incident, sequence of events, immediate and root causes, and corrective actions with assigned responsibilities and timelines
A complete incident investigation report should document the full sequence of events, identify both immediate and root causes, and specify corrective actions with clear accountability and implementation timelines to prevent recurrence.
