What is the main purpose of incident reporting?

The main purpose of incident reporting is to analyze and prevent future occurrences of similar incidents. Incident reporting helps organizations systematically document accidents, near misses, and unsafe conditions, allowing them to identify patterns and trends. This analysis enables employers to implement necessary changes, such as enhancing safety protocols or providing additional training, to mitigate risks and improve overall workplace safety. By focusing on prevention, companies can create a safer environment for their employees, ultimately leading to a reduction in accidents and fostering a culture of safety awareness.

The other options do not align with the primary intent of incident reporting. Assigning blame to employees does not contribute to a learning culture or safety improvement; rather, it can lead to fear and reluctance in reporting incidents. Fulfilling union requirements may be a byproduct but is not the core aim of incident reports. While reducing insurance costs might occur as a consequence of improved safety practices, it is not the primary purpose of the incident reporting process itself.