A primary purpose of accident investigations is to identify

• A. Attribute Fault to a Single Individual
• B. Determine the Fiscal Impact of the Incident
• C. Identify the Improvements Needed in Safety Policies and Procedures
• D. Identify the Level of Discipline Issued

Answer: (C)

The main concept is that accident investigations are aimed at uncovering weaknesses in safety policies and procedures so they can be improved. By examining what happened and why, investigators look for systemic issues—not just who was at fault—to design corrective actions that strengthen rules, training, procedures, and controls. This focus helps prevent recurrence by addressing the underlying processes and safety culture, such as updating policies, refining operating procedures, enhancing training, or adding engineering or administrative controls. While accountability, disciplinary actions, or cost considerations may arise from the findings, they are not the primary objective of the investigation. Therefore, identifying the improvements needed in safety policies and procedures is the central purpose.