Course Description
The Incident Cause Analysis Method (ICAM) is a globally recognised, best-practice systemic incident investigation methodology, developed by BHP with human-error expert Professor James Reason and used extensively across mining, construction, oil and gas, rail, aviation, and energy. Many major construction and resources clients require their managers, supervisors, and safety personnel to be competent in ICAM.
This course prepares participants to lead incident investigations using ICAM. Built on Reason's model of accident causation (the Swiss Cheese / Defences-in-Depth model), ICAM looks beyond the errors of those directly involved to identify the systemic organisational factors — communication, training, procedures, change management, culture, and equipment — that contributed to an incident. Participants learn the full ICAM process through a realistic investigation simulation.
What you will achieve
By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the purpose and value of systematic incident investigation
- Understand accident causation theory and the Reason (Swiss Cheese) model
- Distinguish active failures and latent conditions
- Preserve the incident scene and collect data using the PEEPO matrix
- Conduct effective witness interviews
- Develop the ICAM analysis chart and identify organisational factors
- Develop SMARTER corrective actions
- Produce a high-quality investigation report
How the course is delivered
The course is fully practical and immersive, built around a realistic incident investigation simulation. Participants work individually and in teams to canvass the scene, interview witnesses, analyse evidence, build the ICAM chart, and develop corrective actions.
Note: ICAM was developed by BHP in association with Professor James Reason and is freely available to any end-user and training provider. This course is based on the Reason model and ICAM methodology.
Designed for
This training course is ideal for:
- Managers, superintendents, and supervisors
- HSE officers and safety professionals
- Incident investigators and team leaders
- Project managers on construction and resources projects
- Anyone required to lead incident investigations
Daily programme
- Purpose and legal context of investigation
- Accident causation theory
- The Reason model: Swiss Cheese / Defences in Depth
- Active failures and latent conditions
- Preserving the incident scene
- The PEEPO data collection matrix
- Witness interviewing (practical)
- Timelines and data organisation
- Developing the ICAM analysis chart
- Identifying organisational factors
- SMARTER corrective actions
- Investigation reporting and simulation review
Certification & accreditation
BII Certificate of Completion
BII Certificate of Completion Upon successful completion, participants receive a BII Development Institute Certificate of Completion with a unique reference code that is independently verifiable. Our certificates are recognised internationally and reflect successful completion of your chosen programme.
