bizSAFE Incident Investigation

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of a workplace incident investigation under Singapore's WSH framework?

Accepted Answer

To identify root causes and prevent recurrence, not to assign blame

Answer

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?

Accepted 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

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Secure the area, attend to injured persons, and do not disturb the scene unless necessary to prevent further harm

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

The '5 Whys' technique

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Any accident that results in death, major injury, or more than 3 days of medical leave

Answer

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.

bizSAFE Practice Test

bizSAFE Practice Test

bizSAFE Incident Investigation