Understanding and Reporting Near Misses: A Guide to Safer Workplaces

In nearly every industry, filing a report when an accident or injury occurs is standard practice. This allows companies to implement preventative measures to reduce the chances of future incidents. Most organizations have detailed procedures for accident reports, ensuring that injuries and incidents in the workplace are thoroughly documented.

However, what about the almost-accidents? What about scenarios where an event could have led to harm but didn’t? These are known as “near misses,” and they are just as crucial to document as actual accidents. By understanding and reporting near misses, organizations can identify potential hazards and improve workplace safety.

What is OSHA’s “Near Miss” Definition?

If a “near accident” is the best general-purpose definition, then the best way to understand it in OSHA terms is a “near incident,” using their definition of the word.

In their own words, OSHA’s near-miss definition is a potential hazard or incident in which no property was damaged, and no personal injury was sustained, but where, given a slight shift in time or position, damage or injury easily could have occurred.

Common Near Miss Examples and Prevention Tips:

Slipping or Tripping: Slips, trips, and falls are common workplace accidents. Identifying and addressing areas prone to these incidents is vital for workplace safety. Examples of near misses include:

• Poor lighting causes an employee to trip over an extension cord.
• A leaky air conditioner drips onto a walkway, resulting in an employee slipping.
• A missing or worn step marker leads to an employee tripping over a step.
• An area with inadequate lighting causes a worker to trip, but they catch themselves before falling.
• An extension cord runs across a walkway, and an employee trips but does not fall.

Near Injuries: Workplace fun and shortcuts can sometimes increase the risk of accidents. Documenting these near misses is essential to emphasize the importance of adhering to safety policies. Examples include:

• An employee uses a stool or chair instead of a ladder and loses balance, nearly falling.
• An employee operating a forklift experiences unstable shelving, causing inventory to crash around them.
• An employee feels a sharp pain while lifting a heavy object but manages to put it down without further injury.
• Two workers roughhouse and make contact with a third worker.

Fall Risks: Employees working at heights need to be especially cautious of workplace risks. Falling from elevated heights can lead to severe injuries or even death. Near misses might involve:

• A worker stumbles over misplaced tools without wearing safety equipment.
• A worker loses footing on a ladder but grabs the railing and avoids a fall.
• A tool falls from a height, narrowly missing a worker standing below.
• A worker is almost struck by debris falling from overhead work but steps away just in time.

Hazardous Materials: Proper documentation of accidents and near misses is crucial in workplaces dealing with hazardous materials. Education and clear signage can mitigate such risks.

• A container of hazardous chemical tips over, but no one is in the vicinity to be affected.
• An unclear smoking area prompts a worker to light a cigarette near flammable chemicals.

Operating Equipment: Workers handling heavy machinery must be aware of the risks during operation and maintenance. Examples of near misses include:

• A worker slips while climbing into a bulldozer cab.
• A worker jumps out of the way to avoid being pinned between two large vehicles.
• An employee uses a tool incorrectly, causing it to slip, but does not cause injury.
• A power tool malfunctions and sparks fly, but no one is hurt because the worker is wearing safety goggles.

Blocked Exits and Confined Spaces: Sometimes, workplace design or layout can lead to near misses. Examples include:

• A fire exit is partially blocked by equipment, but an employee notices it before an emergency occurs.
• An employee walks into a confined space without proper permits but leaves unharmed after noticing the error.

Unplanned Events: Certain near misses occur due to unexpected situations or conditions.

• A load being lifted by a crane shifts unexpectedly, but no one is in the area to be struck.
• A small fire starts from an overheated piece of equipment but is extinguished before spreading.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction sites report over 150,000 injuries annually. While many are due to falls, improper use of machinery and heavy equipment accidents also contribute significantly. This highlights the importance of near miss reporting in improving safety practices and preventing accidents.

Roles and Responsibilities in Near Miss Reporting:

Both employees and employers share the responsibility of identifying, reporting, and addressing potential hazards. Employees, often the first to witness near misses, must report incidents to management, providing the necessary information for near miss processes. Employers, on the other hand, should establish clear policies, promote a culture of reporting without fear of discipline, and offer training on the importance of near miss reporting.

Best Practices for Near Miss Reporting:

Reporting near misses offers significant benefits, including establishing safe workplace practices, reducing risk, sharing critical information, collecting valuable data, and improving safety operations. A comprehensive near miss reporting system should include management processes, tools for employees to submit reports easily, and consistent training on the importance of near misses.

A robust reporting procedure involves identifying the incident, reporting it to management, conducting a root cause analysis, identifying solutions, and sharing findings to prevent recurrence. Near miss reporting forms should include detailed information such as the incident date, location, description, causes, corrective actions taken, and signatures.

By embracing near miss reporting, organizations can enhance their safety programs, reduce risks, and foster a culture of continuous improvement and safety awareness.

For more information on EHS programs contact Patricia Stock, Director of Inspections and EHS Manager, at patricias@ttienv.com