Construction Incident Investigation & Prevention Strategies

Description:
This highly interactive course delivers practical, construction-focused training on the incident investigation process. Designed specifically for construction professionals—including supervisors, safety officers, site leads, and managers—this course emphasizes the systems and controls necessary to prevent incidents on-site and ensure compliance with WorkSafeBC (WSBC) regulations.

Over two half-day sessions, participants will engage in hands-on activities, analyze real construction-related incidents, and work through collaborative exercises tailored to high-risk construction environments. The training is designed to build practical skills in root cause analysis, documentation, and corrective action planning, empowering participants to drive safer job sites and meet due diligence obligations.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the role of safety systems and site controls in preventing construction site incidents.

• Conduct effective investigations of construction-related incidents, near-misses, and injuries.

• Identify root causes and systemic failures behind incidents in high-risk construction environments.

• Apply WSBC regulations and documentation requirements throughout the investigation process.

• Analyze real-world construction case studies to identify preventable factors.

• Implement corrective actions and system improvements to prevent recurrence.

• Manage workplace injuries and claims effectively to reduce costs and improve return-to-work outcomes.

• Demonstrate understanding through quizzes and group-based investigation scenarios.

Course Structure and Modules:

Session 1: Understanding Systems and Controls on Construction Sites

• Introduction to Construction Incident Investigation

• Legal and Regulatory Overview (WSBC Requirements for Construction)

• Safety Management Systems in Construction

  • Site-specific hazard assessments

  • Job hazard analysis (JHA) and safe work procedures

  • Common system failures in construction (e.g., lack of pre-task planning, poor communication)

• The Investigation Process

  • Steps from immediate response to root cause identification

  • Roles of supervisors, workers, and safety personnel

  • Gathering and preserving evidence on a construction site

• Case Studies 1–4: Construction incident reviews (e.g., falls from height, struck-by incidents)

• Quiz #1: 20-question quiz on systems, roles, and investigation basics

Session 2: Conducting Investigations and Implementing Change

• Analyzing Construction Incidents

  • Root cause analysis tools tailored for construction (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone Diagram)

  • Identifying contributing factors like training gaps, supervision lapses, or site conditions

• Making Recommendations for Site Safety Improvements

• WSBC Reporting and Documentation

  • Incident report forms

  • Best practices for maintaining legal compliance

• Case Studies 5–12: Hands-on investigation scenarios

  • Group exercises simulating on-site incidents

  • Presentation of findings and recommended actions

• Injury and Claims Management

  • Overview of managing worker injuries in construction

  • Strategies for reducing downtime and supporting return-to-work plans

• Quiz #2: 20-question quiz covering root cause analysis, documentation, and prevention

Additional Topics Integrated Throughout the Course:

• Business Leadership & Safety Culture in Construction

• Due Diligence for Construction Employers and Supervisors

• Orientation of New and Young Workers

• Verifying Competency on Site

• Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

• Workplace Inspections and the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC)

• Site-Specific Incident Trends and Lessons Learned

Who Should Attend:
Construction supervisors, forepersons, project managers, safety coordinators, and anyone responsible for leading or participating in workplace incident investigations on construction sites.

Delivery Method: Virtual Session – Zoom Meeting           

Course Fee Includes: Access to the course, course materials, and a digital certificate upon completion. 

This course is delivered in partnership with local and provincial construction associations across Canada. You will be participating with a group of industry peers from multiple regions.

Sharing a single registration between two or more individuals is not permitted. Please register each person that will be in attendance.

There are no prerequisites for this course.  

This course is ideal for construction safety officers, supervisors, HR managers, incident investigators, and any employees involved in construction workplace safety, incident management, or regulatory compliance. It’s also beneficial for leaders looking to enhance their understanding of construction safety systems and improve incident prevention strategies within their organization.

1. Computer or laptop
• This course will involve on-screen interaction with your instructor and classmates, reading/viewing on-screen content (slides or videos), and interacting via typing with questions or responses. For this reason, cell phones may not be adequate. 
• Windows 10 or Mac iOS. 
2. Webcam (Mandatory)– in order to engage and collaborate, participants will be expected to have their webcams on for the duration of the class
3. Microphone (Mandatory)
4. Internet connection- For best results, you will want to ensure you have an internet connection with an upload/download speed of 3-5 Mbps. You can test your internet speed here. The minimum recommended speed is 1.5 Mbps, but anything below 3 Mbps may result in loss of quality or buffering. Ideally hardwired connection versus wireless for stability - connect your computer directly to your router using an ethernet cable, rather than using your home wi-fi.
5. A quiet space with minimal distractions –The microphone will be engaged for interactive sessions. Please plan to be fully engaged in the class and clear your work schedule just as you would for the in-class program.
6. Comfortable chair