by HSEI Training
ICAM is the Incident Cause Analysis Method, an industrial safety initiative that draws on the work of the eminent organizational psychologist and human error expert Professor James Reason. The ICAM methodology was developed by BHP with the assistance of Professor Reason, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and in consultation with safety representatives from various industries.
ICAM breaks new ground in the area of incident investigation which, in the past, has tended to focus on intentional or unintentional acts of human error – those things that people did or didn’t do – that led to an incident or accident. While this approach provides a superficial explanation of the incident, it does not consider the underlying factors that contributed to the actions, or the context in which they occurred. Considering only the transparent active failures and unsafe acts, rather than identifying those potential causes or latent conditions lying dormant within the system, limits the potential of an investigation to prevent the same event from recurring.
ICAM is a holistic systemic safety investigation analysis method. It aims to identify both local factors and failures within the broader organization and productive system that contributed to the incident, such as communication, training, operating procedures, incompatible goals, change management, organizational culture and equipment. Through the analysis of this information, ICAM provides the ability to identify what really went wrong and to make recommendations on necessary remedial actions to reduce risk and build error-tolerant defences against future incidents. The ICAM process incorporates best practice Human Factors and Risk Management principles.
To date, ICAM has been used in the investigation of incidents and accidents in the construction, utilities, aviation, rail, road, mining, oil and gas sectors. Its successful use in several different countries (including Canada, USA, UK, Chile, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Greece, Turkey, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, South Africa and Australia), work domains and cultural settings indicates that it migrates readily as an investigation tool to a range of national and industrial contexts.
Interested In Learning More?
HSE International is the copyright owner for ICAM training within Canada and offers four ICAM Courses covering the different levels required:
ICAM Lead Investigator
ICAM Master Class
ICAM Team Investigator
ICAM Governance
Courses are offered in-house or virtually via our training partner Adobe Connect. Each ICAM training program:
Is of the highest quality, industry relevant, interactive and engaging
incorporates the highest quality video and 3D animation available
simulates the investigation process as closely as possible given the constraints of a training venue
incorporates practical exercises to embed knowledge and skill
selects from a library of over 80 industries relevant incident case studies from the construction, utilities, aviation, rail, road, mining, oil and gas sectors
ensures the course attendees have an opportunity to use multiple investigation tools in their case study exercises
Course Materials
All course participants will receive the following course materials (depending on the course) to support their ICAM Investigations. This includes:
ICAM Pocket Investigation Guidebook (Lead course only)
ICAM Facilitator Guideline (Lead course only)
ICAM Investigation Process Poster
ICAM Investigation Toolkit Reference Card (Lead and Team courses only)
ICAM Investigation USB Recourse (Lead course only)
ICAM Investigator Hard-hat Sticker (Lead and Team courses only)
Student Workbook
Accreditation
Course attendance certificates will be issued on course completion which is valid for 3 years.
Interested in Knowing More?
Further information on HSE International’s Incident Cause Analysis (ICAM) Training is available from our website: http://www.hseigroup.com/icam
Additional ICAM Related Services
HSE International also offers the following additional services for sites that adopt the ICAM investigation analysis method:
quality review of incident investigations using ICAM
trend analysis of organizational factors contributing to serious incidents
participation in investigations as an external/independent party
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