Positive Investigation Methodology (PIM) is an investigation methodology that considers what went right in an accident, in line with the concept of Safety Differently or Safety II. In contrast to traditional methods of incident investigation, PIM focusses on what factors allowed a potential injury causing incident to become ‘harmless’. That is, it attempts to uncover what went right to avoid the incident’s negative potential.
Traditional investigation methodology focuses on identifying what went wrong in an organisation’s systems and processes as the causal events giving rise to the incident. In adopting PIM, an organisation supplements existing investigation processes by also focusing on what went right to avoid a fatality or serious injury before one occurs. This ensures processes are in place to facilitate and allow continuous improvement.
The PIM app can be used by individuals from companies and businesses, whether in their capacities as investigators or as reviewers. The purpose of the web based PIM App is to facilitate incident investigations, step through the methodology of PIM and generate and submit a PIM report as a product of the investigations. PIM reports can form part of a company’s continuous learning processes and/or audit and assurance processes.
The PIM App can be used on a desktop computer, tablet device or phone. The portability of the PIM App means investigators and users can implement PIM on the ground in the immediate aftermaths of an incident across industries and sectors. The PIM App enables investigators to draft reports while on-site and enables later revision and submission of the PIM report for review and approval.