Contrary to popular belief, the aim of an accident investigation interview is not to find who is guilty and who can be blamed: it is to discover the truth of what has happened. Once that is known, measures can be put in place to stop it happening again.

Unlike a management interview, where the manager drives things forward, in an accident investigation interview the dynamics can be totally different. Because the interviewee might have something to hide – they might have done something wrong, they might be protecting a friend – there is the potential for a hidden agenda.

That means the manager could be the one actually under scrutiny, even if they don’t realise it. The interviewee wants to know what’s going on. They will listen very carefully to what’s being asked and to what is not being asked. They will focus on how the interviewer responds to things. And they will even see if the interview can be manipulated.

But, with a careful approach, the interviewer can still keep the upper hand.

Andy Farrall CMIOSH, health and safety accident investigator, explains how to conduct an effective accident investigation interview.

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