What is the purpose of Incident Investigation in PSM?

The purpose of incident investigation in Process Safety Management (PSM) is primarily to examine past incidents to prevent future occurrences. By analyzing incidents, organizations can identify root causes, contributing factors, and any deficiencies in safety management systems or operational practices. This process is critical for understanding how failures occur and for implementing corrective measures to mitigate risks.

Through thorough investigations, organizations not only learn from their mistakes but also develop and improve processes and procedures, enhancing overall safety performance. The insights gained from these investigations support the continuous improvement of safety measures and can lead to more effective risk management strategies.

While promoting safety culture and enhancing employee evaluations are valuable objectives in a broader safety program, they are not the primary focus of incident investigation. Likewise, increasing production rates is not aligned with the core aim of incident investigation, which is fundamentally about learning and prevention rather than output maximization.