Certificate in Incident Cause Analysis Method (ICAM)

1. ICAM Principles and Investigation Framework: ICAM methodology, investigation objectives, systems thinking, investigator responsibilities, and non-blame investigation principles.

2. Incident Response and Investigation Planning: Initial response, investigation scope, team formation, action planning, scene protection, and investigation strategy.

3. Evidence Collection and PEEPO Analysis: People, Equipment, Environment, Procedures, and Organisation evidence collection, document review, photographs, physical evidence, and information verification.

4. Incident Timeline and Causal Analysis: Establishing event sequences, analysing contributing factors, identifying basic causes, and distinguishing immediate from underlying causes.

5. Human and Organisational Factors: Individual and team actions, task and environmental conditions, organisational factors, safety culture, performance influences, and system weaknesses.

6. Absent or Failed Defences and Corrective Actions: Identification of failed or missing controls, risk reduction measures, recommendations, action planning, and verification of effectiveness.

7. ICAM Investigation Reporting and Organisational Learning: Investigation findings, report preparation, communication of lessons learned, trend analysis, and continuous improvement.

• Develops practical competence in structured ICAM incident investigation.

• Strengthens evidence collection, causal analysis, and investigation planning skills.

• Improves understanding of human and organisational factors affecting incidents.

• Builds capability in identifying failed defences and developing meaningful corrective actions.

• Supports stronger organisational learning and prevention of incident recurrence.

• HSE officers, safety professionals, and incident investigators.

• Supervisors, managers, and operational personnel involved in incident investigations.

• Professionals working in mining, construction, oil and gas, transport, manufacturing, aviation, and energy.

• Personnel seeking structured skills in ICAM-based incident analysis and organisational learning.

• Assessment Format: Written examination, ICAM case study, evidence analysis exercise, causal analysis, and investigation report.

• Total Questions: 50

• Passing Score: 60%

• Duration: 120 Minutes

• Certification: HiQual UK Certificate in Incident Cause Analysis Method (ICAM) upon successful completion.

To deliver this Qualification, HiQual UK Approved ATPs must demonstrate the capability to deliver, assess, and internally quality assure qualifications in line with recognised regulatory principles and the expectations of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).

Approved centres must operate effective systems to ensure the validity, reliability, fairness, consistency, and security of assessment.

1. Centre Recognition and Legal Compliance

Centres must be formally recognised by HiQual UK prior to the delivery or assessment of any qualification. To maintain recognition, centres must: Be a legally constituted organisation operating in compliance with applicable legislation and regulatory requirements. Demonstrate effective governance, management oversight, and clear lines of accountability. Comply with all HiQual UK policies, procedures, and conditions of centre recognition. Notify HiQual UK promptly of any material changes that may affect delivery, assessment, or internal quality assurance arrangements.

2. Resources, Facilities, and Learning Environment

Centres must ensure that sufficient and appropriate resources are in place to support learning and assessment. This includes: Learning environments appropriate to the mode of delivery, including classrooms and, where applicable, specialist or practical facilities. Access to learning and assessment resources that enable learners to meet qualification outcomes. Secure systems for managing learner data, assessment records, and certification claims. Arrangements that support equality of access and reasonable adjustments for learners where required.

3. Staff Competence and Occupational Expertise

Centres must ensure that all staff involved in delivery, assessment, and internal quality assurance are competent and suitably qualified. Centres must: Appoint tutors with appropriate subject knowledge, teaching competence, and relevant occupational or professional experience. Ensure assessors are trained and competent in applying HiQual UK assessment requirements and standards. Appoint a qualified Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) responsible for monitoring assessment practice and decisions. Maintain records of staff qualifications, experience, training, and continuing professional development (CPD).

4. Assessment Practice and Internal Quality Assurance (IQA)

Centres must operate robust internal quality assurance systems to ensure assessment integrity. Centres must: Ensure assessment is valid, fit for purpose, and conducted in line with HiQual UK requirements. Implement effective IQA procedures to monitor assessor performance and confirm the consistency of assessment decisions. Maintain accurate, complete, and auditable records of learner registration, assessment evidence, and outcomes. Carry out regular internal reviews and standardisation activities to support continuous improvement.

5. Integrity, Risk Management, and Malpractice

Centres must take appropriate measures to protect the integrity of assessment. Centres must: Maintain policies and procedures for the prevention, identification, and management of malpractice and maladministration. Ensure secure handling, storage, and retention of assessment materials and learner evidence. Report any suspected or confirmed malpractice to HiQual UK in accordance with published procedures.

6. Health, Safety, Safeguarding, and Learner Protection

Centres must provide a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. Centres must: Comply with applicable health and safety and safeguarding legislation. Conduct risk assessments for learning activities, particularly where practical or technical work is involved. Maintain procedures to safeguard learner welfare and wellbeing.

7. Learner Information, Support, and Fair Treatment

Centres must ensure learners are informed, supported, and treated fairly. Centres must: Provide clear and accurate information on programme requirements, assessment methods, and certification. Ensure learners receive timely and constructive feedback on assessment outcomes. Operate transparent complaints and appeals procedures aligned with HiQual UK requirements. Manage learner information securely in compliance with data protection legislation.

Successful learners who achieve the HiQual UK Certificate in Incident Cause Analysis Method (ICAM) may progress to:

• Level 4 qualifications in Occupational Health & Safety, Risk Management, Incident Investigation, or Safety Management.

• Advanced professional training in ICAM Lead Investigation, Root Cause Analysis, Human Factors, Accident Investigation, and Organisational Learning.

• Specialist development in Safety Management Systems, Process Safety, Risk Assessment, and HSE Auditing.

• Career opportunities including Incident Investigator, HSE Officer, Safety Advisor, Investigation Team Member, Risk Analyst, or Safety Improvement Coordinator.

• Continuing professional development toward Senior Incident Investigator, HSE Manager, Safety Consultant, Risk Manager, or Organisational Learning Specialist roles.