What is the first step in creating a post-incident analysis?

The first step in creating a post-incident analysis is to gather factual information as soon as possible. This step is crucial because the accuracy of the post-incident analysis hinges on the quality and reliability of the data collected during and immediately after the incident. Timely gathering of information helps ensure that the perspectives of various parties involved can be captured while their memories are still fresh, reducing the likelihood of misinformation.

Collecting factual data at the outset allows for a comprehensive understanding of the incident circumstances, contributing factors, and immediate effects, which are essential for accurately reconstructing the sequence of events later on. This foundational information is necessary not only for assessing what happened but also for formulating effective recommendations and preventing future incidents based on informed analysis. Without a solid factual basis, subsequent steps in the analysis process could lead to flawed conclusions and ineffective safety measures.