Methodology

The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (NSIA) has developed a common framework and analysis process for carrying out systematic safety investigations within the four transport modes and the defence sector (the NSIA method).

The framework describes how we collect, organise, analyse and interpret information and data from accidents in a systematic, verifiable manner. Furthermore, it describes how we understand accidents, why they occur and how safety can be improved to prevent accidents in the future.

The NSIA’s analysis process is divided into the following seven stages adapted to the scope and complexity of the investigation:

Stage 1: Clarifying the sequence of events and circumstances of the accident.

Stage 2: Identifying local safety problems = ‘what went wrong’ in the sequence of events.

Stage 3: Barrier analysis.

Stage 4: Identifying contributing factors.

Stage 5: Assessing causality and importance.

Stage 6: Considering systemic safety problems = areas for improving safety.

Stage 7: Assessing the need for safety recommendations.

The document describing the NSIA method can be downloaded from the link below.

Contact person: Ingvild Ytrehus, e-mail: ingvild.ytrehus[at]nsia.no