Safety investigation is a preventive action taken to prevent accidents or near-accidents. It is an important tool for developing and integrating risk management systems of an organization. To conduct a safety investigation, information about incidents is collected. With this information, it is possible to determine the causes and provide safety recommendations if necessary. Safety investigation requires a systematic approach to collecting, gathering, and analyzing the information. The findings of the investigation become the basis for an action plan to prevent future accidents from occurring and improve overall risk management.

Often, the management team of a company is caught up in the need to improve the bottom line, control costs, and focus on financial metrics. However, when this focus on finances leads to cutting safety costs, it becomes the most dangerous. Safety managers ultimately react to events and near-misses, rather than adopting a proactive approach. This can increase risks, and safety management efforts are only halfway, which can ultimately prove to be a big mistake.