What should be done after an incident report is filed?

• A. Investigate the problem and share any findings with the organization, as appropriate, in order to help prevent it from happening in the future.
• B. Delete the report to avoid worrying staff.
• C. Publicly shame the involved party.
• D. Delay action to a future date.

Answer: (A)

After an incident report is filed, the proper next step is to investigate the incident and share findings with the organization as appropriate to help prevent recurrence. This approach drives root-cause analysis, identifies corrective actions, and leads to updates in procedures or training that reduce the chance of similar incidents happening again. It also promotes a culture of safety and learning, where information is used constructively to improve operations.

Deleting the report avoids accountability and hides potential hazards, which can allow risk to persist. Publicly shaming the involved party undermines morale and trust and isn’t productive for preventing future incidents. Delaying action postpones addressing the underlying issues and keeps the same risks present.