What is the main purpose of an internal investigation after a workplace fire?

• A. To find out why the fire occurred and to prevent/reduce the risk of a similar incident
• B. To defend against civil claims and criminal proceedings
• C. To assign blame to staff
• D. To reduce insurance premiums

Answer: (A)

After a workplace fire, the internal investigation aims to find out why it happened and how to prevent a similar incident. By examining what happened, how it started, the condition of equipment, the effectiveness of safety controls, and the actions of people involved, you identify root causes and contributing factors. The goal is to learn from the event and strengthen safety management so risk is reduced in the future. This leads to practical changes like updating procedures, improving maintenance and training, and refining risk assessments and emergency plans.

While investigations can inform legal or insurance matters, they should remain focused on preventing recurrence and improving overall fire safety. They aren’t primarily about defending against claims, assigning blame, or chasing lower insurance premiums.