The FLA process is grounded in social science research and is designed to promote learning across an organization and be a catalyst for creating safer working environments. FLA principles are grown from scholarly study of human factors, error, and communication. 

The FLA process re-frames the way we think about accidents. It is a safety investigative process that chooses to promote a culture of learning in the face of an accident rather than a culture of blame. 

FLA has been supported by the U.S. Forest Service Chief as an organizational learning tool since 2014.  It evolved separately from the USFS Safety Engagement and Safety Journey efforts but now complements these and other initiatives to enhance employee safety. 

Many other federal, state, and local organizations also use the FLA process to guide Lessons Learned Reviews.