Safety investigation

The purpose of a safety investigation is to increase general safety, prevent accidents and dangerous situations, and to combat and reduce the damage caused by accidents. A safety investigation is not conducted for the purpose of assigning legal responsibility.

The task of OTKES is to investigate an accident or a serious dangerous situation that has occurred in aviation, rail transport, or maritime transport, as well as an accident which, based on the number of fatalities or injuries or the extent of damage to the environment, property, or assets, or the nature of the accident, must be considered particularly serious.

There are six investigation branches: aviation accidents, maritime accidents, railway accidents, social and health care accidents, other accidents, and exceptional events. The Safety Investigation Authority decides on the investigation of all accidents, including major accidents. The Government decides on the investigation of exceptional events. Exceptional events, according to the definition in the Safety Investigation Act, are not accidents but intentional acts.

A safety investigation determines the course of the accident, its causes and consequences, as well as the rescue operations and the actions of the authorities.

A public investigation report is prepared to an extent appropriate to the severity of the accident. The investigation report includes an account of the course of the accident, the factors leading to the accident, and the consequences of the accident, as well as safety recommendations addressed to the relevant authorities and other actors for measures necessary to increase general safety, prevent new accidents and dangerous situations, combat damage, and improve the effectiveness of rescue operations and other authorities’ activities. A safety investigation is conducted solely to improve safety, and it does not address issues of guilt or responsibility or liability for damages.

In addition, other legislation concerning public administration.