Investigations should always take place for incidents occuring in a high-risk environment where risk control measures need to be robust. High risks may result from the use of equipment or plant, the use of hazardous substances or work in certain places such as confined spaces. The time and effort put into the investigation may vary considerably according to the potential severity of injury and/or damage.

• a better understanding of risk and provision of information for use in risk assessment
• reducing the risk of accidents and incidents in the future
• a powerful tool for motivating organisational learning and activating cultural change
• a means of understanding and obtaining information on management systems
• a useful means of demonstrating the status of safety management in an organisation
• providing evidence of any discrepancy between what should be in place, Eg safe systems of work.