Workplace incident investigations
Training program standard

SAFE Work Manitoba has made reasonable attempts to confirm the accuracy of the information contained in this document. However, this document is intended for general information purposes only. SAFE Work Manitoba shall not assume responsibility or liability for actions taken or not taken due to reliance on information in this document alone. Manitoba employers must comply with the Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulations, which may be amended occasionally. 

1. Training standard topic 

Workplace incident investigations

2. Purpose

The purpose of a workplace incident investigations training program is to provide employers, supervisors, workers and committee members with an understanding of: 

• workplace investigations, including purpose, legislation requirements, incident causation and basic steps 

The training is intended for employers, supervisors, workers and committee members who: 

• investigate incidents in their workplace 
• are part of their workplace investigation team 

This training program standard outlines the minimum requirements for developing and delivering investigation training programs in Manitoba. It was developed in consideration of the Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulations and Canada Labour Code Part II. 

3. Design 

The training program must meet the following criteria: 

• Comply with adult learning principles:
  1. Ensure learners know why they need to learn specific content and its relevance to their workplaces 
  2. Relate training to learners’ own experiences when simulating workplace scenarios 
  3. Challenge and engage learners using a variety of activities that include participation, feedback and interaction 
  4. Recognize the limits of attention spans and apply techniques to address the ways that adults learn 
  5. Use activities and tools relevant to the workplace 
• Use appropriate language 
• Provide accurate and current content 
• Include references to legal and technical information 
• Use a variety of technical teaching aids 
• Provide learner materials that follow the principles of instructional writing and good graphic design 
• Be consistent with provincial and federal legal requirements 

4. Delivery 

Regardless of the delivery method, all Endorsed Training programs must meet the requirements of this standard along with the Accessibility for Manitobans Act. The delivery method must be reasonable and practicable to support the learner’s ability to attain the learning outcomes. 

4.1     Face-to-face learning 

Recommended maximum ratio of learners to instructor: 

• Basic theory module: 24:1 

 Minimum hours for training delivery: 

• Basic theory module: 3.5 hours 

The timing for delivery of this training program may be extended for various reasons such as the amount of available equipment, for demonstration of learning outcomes, instructor experience and/or the learning needs of the training participants. 

4.2      eLearning and blended learning 

The eLearning content should be consistent with Manitoba eLearning instructional design guidelines. 

• Basic theory module 

4.3     Distance learning 

Distance learning includes training via a live video link. A plan for interactivity with a qualified instructor should be developed and available.  

This type of learning is acceptable for:  

• Basic theory module 

5. Learning outcomes 

Employers will need to supplement any program that meets the requirements of this Training Program standard with additional information, instruction and training in:  

• workplace-specific policies and procedures 
• workplace-specific hazards 
• equipment related to workplace incident investigations  

5.1     Basic theory module 

5.1.1     Legal requirement 

Content must include: 

• an overview of the legal framework, including duties and responsibilities, elements of a safety and health program and the structure and function of an internal responsibility system with reference to statutory, regulatory and criminal law 

At the end of this module, learners will be able to: 

• Use and identify specific sections of The Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulation and/or Canada Labour Code Part II, for investigating workplace incidents; 
• Reference the legal duties and responsibilities of the workplace regarding due diligence and doing what is reasonably practicable; 
• Describe the structure and function of an internal responsibility system. 

5.1.2     Investigation concepts 

Content must include: 

• an overview of the purpose of an investigation, underlying principles to support incident investigation and who conducts an investigation 
• an overview of the importance and reasons of reporting 
• an outline of what to report and to whom 
• a description of the different types of investigations 

At the end of this module, learners will be able to: 

• Describe the purpose of workplace incident investigations; 
• Explain the difference between an accident, incident and near miss; 
• Understand the relationship between incident investigations and reporting; 
• Describe the reasons for reporting 
• Identify what needs to be reported and who the reporting bodies are 
• Identify who is involved in conducting workplace incident investigations 
• Understand the different types of investigations in a workplace. 

5.1.3     Incident causation 

Content must include: 

• an overview of the different types of causes to be considered in an investigation such as direct causes, indirect causes(or contributing factors) and root causes 
• an overview of various incident causation models 

At the end of this module, learners will be able to: 

• explain the difference between direct causes, indirect causes and root causes; 
• understand the basic tenets of various incident causation models. 

5.1.4     Conducting an investigation 

Content must include: 

• an overview of the preparation and resources needed to conduct an investigation, including policies, procedures, training for investigators and investigation kits 
• an overview of the basic steps needed to conduct a workplace incident investigation, including visiting the scene, gathering physical evidence, conducting interviews, evaluating evidence, recommending corrective action, writing the report and follow-up 

At the end of this module, learners will be able to: 

• Recognize what resources are needed to prepare for an incident investigation; 
• Perform the steps needed to conduct an investigation, including visiting the scene, gathering physical evidence, conducting interviews, evaluating evidence, recommending corrective actions, writing the report and following up. 

6. Resource material

The workplace incident investigations training program standard has material requirements for both learners and instructors. 

The date and version number should be indicated on all resource materials, which include: 

• terms and definitions 
• job aids, evaluation tools and templates 
• copies of the applicable provincial or federal safety legislation 
• manufacturers’ instructions for equipment 
• participant and instructor manuals with copies of activities 
• instructor manual and lesson plan 

Learner materials include: 

• learning objectives, agenda, training content and evaluation/testing 

Instructor materials include: 

• instructional methods, learning activities, and lesson plan timing 
• detailed instructor manual and lesson plans, including all learning activities and audio-visual resources

7.  Learner evaluation 

The training program must include a plan for learner evaluation that meets the requirements below. There must be a variety of evaluation methods available to the instructor and/or evaluator that suit the learning outcomes. 

7.1     Evaluation methods 

The training program will include methods to evaluate if key concepts have been understood by the learner using a variety of appropriate evaluation methods, including: 

• open discussion 
• group discussion 
• questions and answers 
• written and/or oral test, where applicable 

Evaluation methods must be clearly outlined in the evaluation plan, and the evaluator must document the corresponding results. 

7.2     Evaluation of demonstration learning outcomes 

1. Learning outcomes requiring demonstration must be performed satisfactorily to complete the practical module successfully. 
2. For learners with language, literacy or accommodation needs, alternative evaluation methods may be used to verify satisfactory demonstration of learning outcomes. These evaluation methods must be clearly outlined in the evaluation plan, and the evaluator must document the corresponding results.

8. Validation/refresher requirements 

Learners who have successfully completed an approved training program should periodically refresh their training to maintain its validity. This supports learners in maintaining their foundational knowledge and skills.