Ulykkesundersøgelse

Ulykkesundersøgelse is the Danish term for accident investigation. It refers to the systematic process of examining the circumstances surrounding an accident to determine its causes, contributing factors, and the sequence of events that led to it. The primary goal of an ulykkesundersøgelse is not to assign blame, but to prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future.

The scope of an ulykkesundersøgelse can vary widely, from minor incidents to major disasters, and can encompass various domains such as transportation (road, rail, air, sea), industrial accidents, workplace incidents, and even public health events. The process typically involves collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, analyzing data, and reconstructing the accident sequence. Specialists with relevant expertise are often involved in the investigation.

Key objectives of an ulykkesundersøgelse include identifying immediate causes, underlying systemic failures, and environmental or human factors that played a role. The findings are then used to develop recommendations for safety improvements, policy changes, or procedural modifications. Reports generated from these investigations are crucial for learning from past events and enhancing safety standards across different sectors. Organizations like the Danish Accident Investigation Board (Havarikommissionen) are responsible for conducting such investigations in Denmark.