Element element element element element what should be investigated?

34
1.3
ELEMENT 1.1
ELEMENT 1.3
ELEMENT 1.2
ELEMENT 1.4
ELEMENT 1.5
All of the above is considered to be evidence-based information gathering. The amount of time spent gathering information 
should be proportionate to the level of investigation.
ACTIVITY
Looking back at the list you made at the beginning of this section, are there any additional types of evidence 
you would add to it?
Common themes during interviews
Interviewing witnesses can sometimes be challenging, and can test even the most calm-mannered interviewer. Interviewers may 
have to deal with:
y
forgetfulness, or a lack of clarity upon questioning;
y
closed answers; and
y
an unwillingness to participate due to fear of repercussions.
We will discuss this in more detail later in the book.

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NEBOSH HSE Introduction to Incident Investigation
35
1.3
ELEMENT 1.3
ELEMENT 1.2
ELEMENT 1.5
ELEMENT 1.1
ELEMENT 1.4
Concept of barrier controls
Identifying barriers, such as safety or control functions 
that have failed, is an important step in the information-
gathering stage of an investigation. The investigation needs 
to establish how the risk should have been controlled (the 
benchmark standard). A barrier, such as a guard or a control 
system, is supposed to create a safe or safer place of work. 
If a critical barrier has failed and allowed an incident to 
occur, the investigation will need to include looking at those 
circumstances, for example:
y
somebody getting their fingers cut after they removed a 
guard to clear a blockage; or 
y
a blast wall failing, identifying a design fault.