Workplace Incident Investigation Training Course (NZ Version)
$27.50 inc. GST
This course covers how incidents, near misses, and notifiable events are identified, reported, and investigated in New Zealand workplaces under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. It explains what workers must report internally, how notifiable events are defined, when a PCBU must notify WorkSafe New Zealand, and how to conduct a practical, evidence-based investigation that identifies the system conditions behind an incident — not just the immediate cause.
Designed for New Zealand workplaces, this course uses plain language and realistic workplace scenarios to support workers across a wide range of industries and roles. Participants receive an instant digital certificate on completion, providing documented evidence of training.
This course will take approximately 54 minutes to complete.
Why is the Workplace Incident Investigation Course Important?
When an incident occurs in the workplace, the response in the hours and days that follow determines whether it happens again. Organisations that investigate well — gathering evidence, speaking with workers, and identifying system gaps — build safer workplaces over time. Those that don’t repeat the same incidents. Near misses are particularly significant: they signal that a serious injury or illness almost occurred, and without investigation, that risk remains.
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) have a duty to manage risks and review controls after incidents. Notifiable events — including deaths, serious injuries, and certain illnesses — must be reported to WorkSafe New Zealand, and PCBUs are required to preserve the incident site until an inspector arrives or permission is given to disturb it. Failure to meet these obligations carries significant legal and regulatory consequences.
This course gives workers and supervisors a clear, practical process for meeting those obligations and conducting investigations that lead to genuine improvement.
Who Should Complete This Course
- Employees who may be involved in, witness, or be asked to report a workplace incident or near miss
- Supervisors, team leaders, and managers responsible for incident reporting and investigation processes
- Health and Safety Representatives and contractors who participate in or support workplace investigations
- Any worker who wants to understand their reporting obligations and how investigations are conducted under New Zealand law
Topics Covered
- What is an incident or notifiable event?
- What is a hazard?
- How are notifiable events reported?
- How do you conduct an investigation?
- What are contributing factors?
Course Experience
Learners can expect:
- Fully online and accessible anytime
- Interactive and scenario-based learning
- Self-paced completion (pause/resume anytime)
- Assessment: 10-question quiz, 10/10 correct answers required
- Instant digital certificate on completion
- Accessible design (WCAG 2.2 AA compliant; suitable for all literacy levels)
Assessment
There is an assessment for this topic. 10-question quiz, 10/10 correct answers required.
Related Courses
- Workplace Health and Safety Fundamentals Training Course (NZ Version)
- Duty of Care for Employees Training Course
- Duty of Care for Managers Training Course
- Managing Slip and Trip Hazards Training Course (NZ Version)
- Manual Handling Safety Training Course (NZ Version)
- General Evacuation Training Course (NZ Version)
- Warden Training 1: Emergency Preparation Training Course
- Warden Training 2: Emergency Response Training Course
- Risk Management for Workers Training Course (NZ Version)
- Risk Management for Managers Training Course (AUS Version)
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Identify incidents, near misses, and notifiable events and understand the difference between them
- Apply the correct internal reporting process and understand when WorkSafe New Zealand must be notified
- Recognise the range of hazard types — physical, chemical, biological, psychosocial, and organisational — that contribute to workplace incidents
- Describe a practical, evidence-based investigation process focused on system conditions rather than individual blame
- Contribute to a workplace culture where incidents are reported, investigated, and used to drive genuine safety improvement
Organisational Benefits
- Meet legal reporting obligations — staff understand what constitutes a notifiable event and what steps the PCBU must take under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
- Reduce incident recurrence — investigations that identify system conditions and control gaps prevent the same events from happening again
- Improve audit and regulator readiness — documented training demonstrates that the organisation takes its investigation duties seriously
- Build a culture of reporting — workers who understand the process are more confident reporting concerns, improving the quality of information available to manage risk
- Protect the organisation from legal exposure — workers who know their obligations are less likely to inadvertently breach investigation site preservation or notification requirements
| Platforms | Desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile (widescreen) |
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari are supported (typically versions from 2019 onwards). IE11 is not supported |
| Hosting | Enrol in Tribal Habits portal |
| Accessible | Yes, meets WCAG 2.2 guidelines at a Level AA standard – More info on WCAG 2.2 here |
Description
Why is the Workplace Incident Investigation Course Important?
When an incident occurs in the workplace, the response in the hours and days that follow determines whether it happens again. Organisations that investigate well — gathering evidence, speaking with workers, and identifying system gaps — build safer workplaces over time. Those that don’t repeat the same incidents. Near misses are particularly significant: they signal that a serious injury or illness almost occurred, and without investigation, that risk remains.
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) have a duty to manage risks and review controls after incidents. Notifiable events — including deaths, serious injuries, and certain illnesses — must be reported to WorkSafe New Zealand, and PCBUs are required to preserve the incident site until an inspector arrives or permission is given to disturb it. Failure to meet these obligations carries significant legal and regulatory consequences.
This course gives workers and supervisors a clear, practical process for meeting those obligations and conducting investigations that lead to genuine improvement.
Who Should Complete This Course
- Employees who may be involved in, witness, or be asked to report a workplace incident or near miss
- Supervisors, team leaders, and managers responsible for incident reporting and investigation processes
- Health and Safety Representatives and contractors who participate in or support workplace investigations
- Any worker who wants to understand their reporting obligations and how investigations are conducted under New Zealand law
Topics Covered
Topics Covered
- What is an incident or notifiable event?
- What is a hazard?
- How are notifiable events reported?
- How do you conduct an investigation?
- What are contributing factors?
Experience
Course Experience
Learners can expect:
- Fully online and accessible anytime
- Interactive and scenario-based learning
- Self-paced completion (pause/resume anytime)
- Assessment: 10-question quiz, 10/10 correct answers required
- Instant digital certificate on completion
- Accessible design (WCAG 2.2 AA compliant; suitable for all literacy levels)
Assessment
There is an assessment for this topic. 10-question quiz, 10/10 correct answers required.
Related Courses
- Workplace Health and Safety Fundamentals Training Course (NZ Version)
- Duty of Care for Employees Training Course
- Duty of Care for Managers Training Course
- Managing Slip and Trip Hazards Training Course (NZ Version)
- Manual Handling Safety Training Course (NZ Version)
- General Evacuation Training Course (NZ Version)
- Warden Training 1: Emergency Preparation Training Course
- Warden Training 2: Emergency Response Training Course
- Risk Management for Workers Training Course (NZ Version)
- Risk Management for Managers Training Course (AUS Version)
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Identify incidents, near misses, and notifiable events and understand the difference between them
- Apply the correct internal reporting process and understand when WorkSafe New Zealand must be notified
- Recognise the range of hazard types — physical, chemical, biological, psychosocial, and organisational — that contribute to workplace incidents
- Describe a practical, evidence-based investigation process focused on system conditions rather than individual blame
- Contribute to a workplace culture where incidents are reported, investigated, and used to drive genuine safety improvement
Organisational Benefits
- Meet legal reporting obligations — staff understand what constitutes a notifiable event and what steps the PCBU must take under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
- Reduce incident recurrence — investigations that identify system conditions and control gaps prevent the same events from happening again
- Improve audit and regulator readiness — documented training demonstrates that the organisation takes its investigation duties seriously
- Build a culture of reporting — workers who understand the process are more confident reporting concerns, improving the quality of information available to manage risk
- Protect the organisation from legal exposure — workers who know their obligations are less likely to inadvertently breach investigation site preservation or notification requirements
Accessibility
| Platforms | Desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile (widescreen) |
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari are supported (typically versions from 2019 onwards). IE11 is not supported |
| Hosting | Enrol in Tribal Habits portal |
| Accessible | Yes, meets WCAG 2.2 guidelines at a Level AA standard – More info on WCAG 2.2 here |
