Accident investigation that found the real cause

Following an incident, a warehouse and distribution business needed an independent investigation. They had to satisfy their duties, understand what had actually gone wrong and show their insurer and if it came to it a court, that they took the matter seriously. They also wanted an honest, outside view rather than an internal account that risked looking defensive.

We attended promptly, secured the evidence and worked through our structured process: reviewing the risk assessments and procedures, taking witness statements while events were fresh and speaking sensitively with those involved. We looked past the immediate cause to the underlying factors in the task, the equipment, the environment and the way the work was managed.

We then produced a full report setting out the root causes and a prioritised set of recommendations and we advised on the RIDDOR position so the right things were reported in the right way.