Safety expert shares insights on learning from tragedy and making changes
In his dynamic webinar, From Incident to Insight: Mastering Investigation for a Safer Canadian Workplace, Peter Sturm tackles the evolving landscape of workplace incident investigations, urging health and safety professionals to rethink their approach. His insights, rooted in years of experience and his work on the CSA Z1005-21 standard, challenge the traditional focus on compliance and root-cause analysis, encouraging a shift towards proactive prevention.
“We need to stop thinking of investigations as a formality,” Sturm asserts. “They are an opportunity to change the workplace before tragedy strikes again.” He emphasizes the need for a strong investigation framework, grounded in planning and continuous improvement. According to Sturm, an outdated or stagnant investigation program fails to keep up with the evolving risks of modern workplaces: “If your investigation program hasn’t changed as your business changes, it’s irrelevant.”
The webinar explores real-world examples to demonstrate how poorly conducted investigations lead to preventable workplace deaths. “If we were doing good investigations, our numbers should be going down,” Sturm states. He laments the plateauing or rising workplace fatalities and injuries, attributing this to inadequate investigation practices that overlook deeper, systemic failures.
Sturm also covers key competencies for investigators, offering actionable advice on how to build and refine investigation programs in line with the CSA Z1005-21 standard. “Competency is not just about experience—it’s about having the right skills and staying current,” he explains. Sturm advocates for ongoing training, effective communication, and a holistic view of workplace systems to truly uncover and address risks.
He also stresses the importance of investigator independence, warning against bias when supervisors lead investigations in their own departments. “Bias, even unconscious, can undermine the whole process,” Sturm notes, suggesting independent oversight and a focus on system failures rather than individual blame.
With an emphasis on proactive preparation, including pre-investigation planning and the integration of modern tools, this webinar serves as a practical guide for professionals looking to transform how they approach incident investigations. Sturm’s message is clear: effective investigations save lives and build safer workplaces. “Don’t wait for another incident—change how you investigate today.”
Health and safety professionals eager to refine their skills, challenge their assumptions, and improve their workplaces should watch the full webinar. It’s an opportunity to elevate investigation practices and take safety programs to the next level.
Be sure to check out this insightful session—From Incident to Insight is packed with strategies that will transform how you investigate and prevent future workplace incidents.
