Near Miss Reporting
A near miss is an undesired event that, under slightly different circumstances, could have resulted in harm to people or damage to property, materials or the environment.
Importance.
All too often it takes an accident to identify a health and safety problem in the workplace. While the problem may then get addressed, someone has been injured. Accidents can also have financial implications and reflect badly on your organisation, through increased accident rates. Research has shown that for every 90 near misses an accident will occur. The ultimate goal of near miss reporting is to address the incident, and take action to prevent reoccurrence.
Regulations.
While reporting of near misses is not a legal requirement it is good safety management. There are however legal requirements regarding risk assessment, reporting of accidents and creating a safe work environment. Reporting of near misses can reduce accidents and improve safety.
Guidance.
Good practice:
- Report near misses as soon as possible after an incident so that action can be taken to prevent reoccurrence as soon as possible.
- Near miss reporting is not a 'blame game'.
- Near miss reporting is an opportunity to improve working practice and procedures.
- Every near miss should be reported.
- Everyone is responsible for reporting near misses.
- If you saw it happen, report it.
- Near miss reporting should not be time consuming or a hassle.
- Provide essential information so that action can be taken.
- Keep information simple and direct, more information can be collected by investigating the near miss further where required.
- Near miss reports need to be rewarded and encouraged for the system to succeed.
- If you see a near miss, report it and help keep your workplace safe.
- Reviewing near miss information can help identify patterns.
- Near miss information can help us learn lessons and improve.
- Reporting near misses is an important part of accident prevention.
Questions.
- What is a near miss?
- Why should you report a near miss?
Summary.
A near miss reporting programme, when implemented well, is a very effective reactive programme to reduce accidents and improve health and safety on site. By identifying and addressing the hazard reported, action can be taken before an accident occurs.
