ICAM Investigation examples

Looking at an ICAM investigation example is the best way to understand the methodology. You can find a few ICAM Investigation template variations, but all of them will share a general framework which helps an inspector, auditor or worker to conduct an ICAM investigation in a fair and comprehensive manner.

The ICAM investigation example below was conducted based on a worker falling into a site pit which was dug by an excavator.

As you can see from the example, the first few parts of the investigation report or document cover some basic housekeeping items including:

• Instructions
• Assumptions and exclusions
• Definitions

These are important parts of any investigation, as other people may be involved in the investigation and may not have the context or exact vocabulary of the people conducting the investigation.

Next, the ICAM investigation covers the details of the incident being investigated. This section will have a description of the where, who, what, how and when, as well as details about the type of activity, location of the incident and immediate actions taken following the event.

Once the incident is described properly, the analysis or assessment begins. First, there are a couple of questions about whether a risk assessment and standard operating procedure were completed and followed. This can obviously be a quick red flag.

Next, the investigator will move into declaring key findings across possible contributing factors including:

• Absent or failed defences
• Individual or team actions
• Task or environmental conditions
• Organisational factors

The ICAM investigation example below has some good definitions or 'descriptions' as to what each of these categories or contributing factors is related to.

This section is where the ICAM investigation becomes really powerful and where a good framework is essential. It's in being able to assess these possible contributing factors that a person or people are able to uncover those hidden issues which need to be rectified.

Once all of these contributing factor tables are complete, the inspector or responsible person will document their conclusions and observations and a corrective action plan.

The corrective action plan is critical. The whole point of an investigation is to uncover causes which can be fixed - so that the same incident doesn't occur again. Your corrective actions should reflect this goal, and should include action items for specific people to be completed within a specific date so that there is some accountability there and so that actions are taken.

This ICAM investigation example gives a great idea of the framework for a good investigation, and you can easily apply this framework to other ICAM investigation examples you see or have seen in the past.