ICAM LEAD INVESTIGATOR Training Course

Nationally Recognised Units of Competency Upon successful completion of this training—whether you attend F2F, ONLINE or ZOOM—you will receive an official ICAM Statement of Attendance and a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment for the following accredited units:

• BSBWHS515 Lead Initial Response to and Investigate WHS Incidents
• RIIWHS301E Conduct Safety and Health Investigations

Please note: The ICAM methodology is an industry standard, not a nationally recognised qualification on its own.

Master the Globally Recognised ICAM Methodology

The Incident Cause Analysis Method (ICAM) is one of the most widely adopted frameworks for analysing workplace incidents. Developed from Professor James Reason’s pioneering research on human error, ICAM provides a structured, highly effective approach to uncovering root causes and preventing incident recurrence. It is now considered an essential skill for WHS professionals, supervisors, and safety managers.

YOUR INVESTIGATION TOOLKIT

The OHSA ICAM Lead Investigator Course translates this proven methodology into practical, job-ready skills. You will learn to confidently apply industry-standard investigation tools, including:

• The Swiss Cheese Model & 5 Whys Technique: To trace the lifecycle of an incident.
• Failure Identification: Spotting both Active and Latent Failures within systems.
• The PEEPO Data Collection Matrix: Systematically gathering data across People, Environment, Equipment, Procedures, and Organisation.
• The Four Causal Factor Elements: Analysing Absent/Failed Defences, Individual/Team Actions, Task/Environment Factors, and Organisational Factors.

The 6 core steps of the Incident Cause Analysis Method (ICAM) are taught in the OHSA Lead Investigator course.

LEARN FROM REAL-WORLD INVESTIGATION EXPERTS

Theory only goes so far. When you train with OHSA, you learn from facilitators with over 20 years of hands-on field experience.

Our instructors have conducted more than 100 complex investigations across high-risk industries, including aviation, energy, rail, road, mining, construction, and emergency services. Because our team regularly works directly with regulators, coroners, and courts, you gain insights that go far beyond a textbook.

The Swiss Cheese Model of accident causation is a fundamental framework taught in the OHSA ICAM Lead Investigator course.

CAREER OUTCOME

Graduates of this course leave equipped to confidently lead or contribute to workplace investigations, meet strict industry and client expectations, and take a decisive step forward in their safety leadership careers.

Who Should Take the ICAM Lead Investigator Course?

This course is ideal for supervisors, managers, safety officers, WHS practitioners, and incident investigators who are responsible for workplace safety and incident management. It is also suitable for team leaders, project managers, and consultants who need to understand the ICAM methodology to identify root causes, prevent incidents, and improve organisational safety.

Participants from high-risk industries, including mining, construction, aviation, rail, energy, transport, and emergency services, will gain practical skills to lead investigations and apply the Swiss Cheese Model, the PEEPO Data Collection Matrix, and other proven ICAM tools in real-world workplace scenarios.

By the end of the course, attendees will be equipped to:

• Conduct thorough incident investigations using the ICAM methodology
• Identify active and latent failures and contributing factors
• Develop actionable recommendations to prevent future incidents
• Earn two (2) nationally recognised units and the ICAM Statement of Attendance

What You Will Learn in the ICAM Lead Course

Students enrolled in the OHSA ICAM Lead Incident Investigation Course receive comprehensive training in the globally adopted Incident Cause Analysis Method (ICAM).
Upon successful completion of the course and assessments, participants are awarded a certification package that includes both industry-standard recognition and formal accreditation:

INDUSTRY RECOGNITION

ICAM Lead Certificate & Statement of Attendance: Acknowledging your practical proficiency in the globally recognised ICAM methodology. (Please note: The ICAM methodology is an industry standard, not a nationally recognised qualification on its own.)

NATIONALLY RECOGNISED TRAINING

You will also receive a Statement of Attainment for two (2) nationally accredited units of competency:

• BSBWHS515 Lead Initial Response to and Investigate WHS Incidents
• RIIWHS301E Conduct Safety and Health Investigations

CORE PRACTICAL SKILLS GAINED

Together, the ICAM methodology and the accredited units equip you with the skills and knowledge to confidently plan, conduct, and report on workplace incidents. Throughout the course, you will learn how to:

• Conduct an initial assessment and secure an incident scene.
• Establish the scope and legal parameters of a workplace investigation.
• Perform a systematic analysis using ICAM tools (like the PEEPO matrix) to identify root causes and latent failures.
• Recommend actionable, preventive measures and report findings based on incident severity.
• Access and collaborate with specialist expertise when required.

DELIVERY FORMAT

• The ICAM Lead Investigator Course is delivered as a one-day face-to-face course or Zoom course with pre-course work to be completed prior to attendance.
• Pre-course tasks include watching online lectures, completing activities, and undertaking theory assessments (Pre-course theory will take approximately 6- 8 hours. Students who have limited experience in WHS investigations may take longer).
• The face-to-face or Zoom component focuses on practical demonstration tasks, traditionally delivered on the second day of the two-day course.
• Note: The course must be completed within six (6) weeks of the face-to-face or Zoom component.
• * If face-to-face delivery is not viable, the course may instead be conducted via Zoom.

Prerequisites & Requirements

GENERAL PREREQUISITES

There are no formal prerequisite qualifications required to enrol; however, participants must meet the following:

• Age Requirement: Must be 18 years or older. OHSA does not provide training for individuals under 18.
• Language & Literacy: A minimum of Grade 10 literacy and English language proficiency is required to complete the assessments.

VISA STATUS

Students must not be on a student visa or be the partner of someone on a student visa.

RECOMMENDED PRIOR LEARNING

While not mandatory, students will strongly benefit from having one of the following:

• Health and Safety Representative (HSR) formal qualifications
• Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety
• Equivalent vocational experience in conducting incident investigations

COMPUTER & IT SKILL REQUIREMENTS

Because this course involves online pre-course work and written digital reports, fundamental computer literacy is necessary regardless of how you attend.

FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS (FACE-TO-FACE & ZOOM):

• Basic IT Skills: You must be comfortable navigating online learning portals, opening documents, and using word processing software (like MS Word) to type and format your final investigation report.
• Hardware/Internet: Access to a computer or laptop with reliable internet is required to complete the mandatory 6–8 hours of online pre-course work prior to your practical session, as well as for completing your post-course assessments.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ZOOM PARTICIPANTS

If you choose to attend the practical session online via Zoom, you must also have:

• A reliable, high-speed internet connection capable of handling continuous video conferencing.
• A working webcam and microphone (a headset is strongly preferred for audio clarity).
• A quiet, private room free of distractions.
• Access to a printer (to print essential course materials for the practical exercises).

ASSESSMENT & WORKPLACE REQUIREMENTS

To be awarded the Nationally Recognised Units, learners must successfully complete a combination of theory and practical assessments, which include:

• Written theory tasks.
• Practical classroom exercises and role-plays.
• Two incident investigations: One group simulated exercise (completed during the live session) and one post-course workplace investigation and report.

FITNESS FOR DUTY & CLASSROOM POLICY

Safety starts in the classroom. No student will be permitted to undertake the course or any session if they are impaired. This includes being under the influence of alcohol, illegal/illicit substances, or experiencing impairment from prescribed medication, or severe fatigue.

• What is the ICAM Lead Incident Investigation Course? The ICAM Lead Incident Investigation Course teaches participants how to use the Incident Cause Analysis Method (ICAM) to conduct thorough workplace incident investigations. It covers root cause analysis, the Swiss Cheese Model, PEEPO data collection, and producing actionable investigation reports.
• Who should attend the ICAM Lead Investigator Course? This course is designed for WHS professionals, supervisors, safety officers, project managers, and incident investigators in industries such as mining, construction, aviation, rail, energy, and transport who need practical skills in leading workplace investigations.
• What qualifications will I receive after completing the course? Graduates receive the ICAM Lead Statement of Attendance and two nationally recognised units:

BSBWHS515 – Lead Initial Response to and Investigate WHS Incidents
RIIWHS301E – Conduct Safety and Health Investigations

• Are there prerequisites for the ICAM Lead Course? No formal prerequisites are required. However, Grade 10 literacy and proficiency in English are recommended. Candidates with prior ICAM Facilitator training, HSR qualifications, or Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety will benefit, but are not required.
• How is the course delivered? The course is delivered as a one-day face-to-face program with online pre-course work. This course can also be completed via Zoom, with live interactive sessions and practical exercises.  (Online pre-course work will take approximately 6- 8 hours.  Students who have limited experience in WHS investigations may need longer)
• What equipment do I need for the Zoom course? Students need a PC or laptop, reliable high-speed internet, a webcam, a microphone/headset, and a quiet space suitable for video conferencing.
• How are students assessed in the ICAM Lead Course? Assessment includes theory tasks, practical exercises, role plays, and two incident investigations (one simulated in class and one post-course workplace investigation). Successful completion is required to receive nationally recognised units.
• How long do I have to complete the course? All components, including post-course workplace investigations, must be completed within six weeks of attending the face-to-face or Zoom session.
• What industries use ICAM methodology? ICAM is used globally in aviation, mining, construction, rail, energy, transport, and emergency services for workplace incident investigations and root cause analysis.
• Why choose OHSA for ICAM training? OHSA has over 20 years of experience, with facilitators who have conducted 100+ incident investigations across multiple high-risk industries. The course provides practical, job-ready skills, accredited units, and flexible delivery options (face-to-face or Zoom).
• Can I complete the ICAM course online? Yes, you absolutely can! The ICAM Lead Investigator Course offers flexible ONLINE delivery to suit your schedule.