ABSTRACT

This chapter looks at two components of the basic safety management system (SMS): the risk control system and the learning system. Learning can take place through the investigation of incidents or accidents or through carrying out audits. At the beginning of the twentieth century, large accidents were rarely investigated, let alone small accidents or incidents. It was not common knowledge that it is useful to investigate an accident and understand why that accident could happen. Incidents and accidents are usually described as 'unplanned' events in the past. In most definitions, the difference lies in the effects of the event. Learning is the most important reason to investigate an incident or accident. All kinds of companies conduct incident and accident investigations. Most organizations determine the depth of an investigation on the severity of the consequences of an incident. It is important to start as soon as possible with gathering data about the 'incident scene'.