Stop Investigating Everything! How to Classify Events to Maximise Organisational Learning and Reduce Systemic Risk
When every incident gets the same heavy investigation, your team burns out and the real risks hide in plain sight. Learn to classify events for learning, n
.jpg)
Most safety teams are drowning. Every incident, no matter how minor, triggers the same heavy investigation and the result is excessive workloads, rushed analysis and surprisingly little real learning.
There has to be a better way!
In the opening session of The Investigation Series, Mark Alston of Investigations Differently tackles one of the most persistent problems in incident management: over-classification.
When everything is investigated the same way, nothing gets the attention it deserves, and systemic risk hides in plain sight.
Mark shows you how to classify events on their potential for organisational learning and systemic risk, not just injury outcome, using a simple, defensible decision framework. You'll leave able to match the right level of response to each event, free up your team's capacity, and focus effort where it genuinely reduces risk.
What you'll take away:
- Understand why outcome-based classification drives over-investigation, and lets systemic risk hide in plain sight.
- Discover a simple, defensible decision framework that matches the level of response to the learning opportunity.
- Learn to define 'credible potential' so genuinely high-risk events get the attention they deserve.
- Apply the principle of 'permission not to investigate' to free up your team's capacity.
- Leave with a practical way to classify events for maximum organisational learning and minimum noise
Watch the Video
Listen to the Podcast
Key Links
Presented by
Mark Alston
Mark’s extensive experience in investigations commenced as a Federal Agent in the Australian Federal Police, responsible for investigating organised crime and large-scale drug and fraud offences. Since then, Mark has worked for a diverse range of range of organisations including BHP, Rio Tinto, Macmahon Holdings, CQMS Razer, and Mitchell Services with roles in incident investigations, risk management, safety and auditing.
Mark has utilised root cause analysis methods including TapRoot© and ICAM©, 5 Whys and Essential Factors to investigate work place incidents over the past 10 years. Mark has developed and implemented systems of work to manage incident reporting and investigation requirements as well as the training of operational personnel and safety professionals in investigation methodology.
With an investigation process that now focuses on a ‘Work as Normal’ approach, Mark has found a system of investigation that combines a Safety Differently approach with the principals of Human and Organizational Performance (HOP), to identify the true organisational issues that contributed to an event.
As the Principal Facilitator for Immotus Consulting, Mark drives simplicity and quality in the products they deliver. Mark engages with clients and their workers to help them identify and understand risks and develop engaging and practical control management strategies.
The myosh Academy is home to regular webinars on workplace health, safety, environment, and quality, with contributions from select partners.
Organisations across the globe have been using myosh to manage and improve work safety for over 20 years. Our highly configurable, cloud-based safety solution features over 50 pre-configured modules. All modules integrate with one another, and with a Custom subscription you can opt to build you own new modules with us.