What is the first step in addressing an incident that requires documentation?

The first step in addressing an incident that requires documentation is to document the incident on an Incident Card. This immediate documentation is crucial as it captures the details of the incident while they are fresh in your mind, which helps ensure accuracy and completeness. By doing so, you create a reliable record that can be referenced later for any necessary follow-up actions or investigations.

Timely documentation is essential in any situation requiring formal reporting, as it preserves key information such as who was involved, the sequence of events, and any relevant context. This foundational step also paves the way for subsequent actions, like notifying authorities or discussing the incident with relevant parties, as it provides a basis of factual information to work from.