Level II incidents are characterized as what?

• A. Direct causes
• B. Indirect causes (unsafe acts and conditions)
• C. Root causes
• D. The Why Method

Answer: (B)

Level II investigations focus on factors that indirectly contributed to an incident, specifically unsafe acts by people and unsafe conditions in the workplace. These are the factors that create the circumstances for the incident to happen, even though they are not the immediate trigger. For example, a slip-and-fall might be caused directly by a person slipping, but a Level II view would examine why the floor was wet and why necessary precautions weren’t followed—such as delays in spill cleanup, inadequate non-slip footwear, or lacking housekeeping practices. By identifying these indirect causes, the investigation points to preventive controls like improved housekeeping, better training or enforcement of procedures, and safer work conditions that reduce the chance of recurrence. In contrast, direct causes are the immediate event that happens, root causes are the deeper systemic issues, and The Why Method is an investigative approach rather than a category of causes.