What is the primary reason for conducting accident investigations in the context of health and safety?

Conducting accident investigations is primarily aimed at determining the facts surrounding the event. The investigation process seeks to collect and analyze data concerning what happened, why it happened, and how it might be prevented in the future. This approach enables organizations to understand the root causes of incidents rather than focusing on assigning blame or implementing new rules without clear rationale. By establishing a factual basis for what occurred, organizations can develop informed strategies to enhance safety measures, improve training, and prevent similar incidents from happening again, ultimately fostering a safer work environment. Understanding the sequence of events and contributing factors is critical to creating effective solutions tailored to the specific challenges revealed by the investigation.