Which of the following is a typical step in an incident investigation to identify root causes?

• A. Collect Facts
• B. Blame Individuals
• C. Evacuate Area
• D. Conduct Medical Evaluation

Answer: (A)

Collecting facts is the starting point in an incident investigation because you need accurate, objective information before any analysis can be done. By gathering who, what, where, when, and how from witnesses, logs, cameras, and equipment records, you establish a clear timeline and a factual picture of what occurred. This data helps you identify actual contributing factors and lays a solid foundation for deeper root-cause analysis, such as asking why the sequence of events happened and what underlying system or process allowed it to occur.

Blaming individuals is not a constructive step in root-cause analysis; it focuses on assigning fault rather than uncovering underlying causes and can distort information. Evacuating the area is an immediate safety action during an incident, not a step aimed at identifying root causes. Conducting a medical evaluation is important for treatment and tracking injuries, but it doesn’t by itself reveal the systemic factors that led to the incident.