Near Miss

Introduction

Most accidents occur as a result of an unsafe condition or unsafe action, horseplay, etc. coming together with a person / worker and the end result, is the person / worker gets injured. Often unsafe acts or unsafe conditions have several misfires, and the result is a near miss accident or incident. The only difference between a near miss and an accident is luck.

Safety conscious companies make a near miss a big deal. Hence, every company should have a near miss box available at various location (must be discussed in Toolbox Talks to aware its location). Near miss points to be welcomed (on weekly or monthly basis or as per convenience) from its staff, management, workers, etc. and the same to be liquidated at the earliest along-with intimation.

Near misses are not funny; they are often deadly.
Always report a near miss.
Take immediate action to prevent a similar near miss.
If you did not cause a near miss but saw it, discuss it with those involved and your supervisor.
Obey safety rules / safe working practices and you will decrease the number of near misses around you.

History

The concept of “near miss” has its roots found in aviation, as approx. the mid of 20th century. The term initially raised during an aircraft’s incidents where a collision was narrowly avoided. Over time, aviation industries adopted the term “near miss” to describe the situations where close calls or potential accidents occurred (w.r.t., horseplay, mechanical issues, etc.) but they did not result in harm.

Today, near miss reporting is an important segment of safety management systems across various sectors / industries, aiding in the prevention of accidents and the improvement of overall safe working practices.

Near miss reporting procedures to the company safety committee (responsibility to investigate near miss accidents and make corrective recommendations to management i.e., state-mandated requirements, company policies, etc.). State-mandated requirements can be:

Workers’ compensation claim.
Medical bills Associated legal and possible insurance costs.
Uninsured property damage costs.

Employee Direct Costs

Lost regular wages and overtime.

Employee Indirect Costs

Mental anguish, physical pain and suffering.
Decreased active participation with their family and friends (It’s tough to be at a ball game when laying up in a hospital bed).
Inability to productive on or off the job.

Employer Indirect Costs

Loss of valuable employee with a result of lost efficiency on the job.
Managerial and clerical time expended to handle injury claims.
Time loss wages paid with no work performed.
Hiring and Training replacement.
Damaged or destroyed equipment, material or tools.

Near misses often leads to an accident. Every accident has something in common. It costs everyone involved something. There are direct and indirect costs, both to the employee who was injured and the employer who eventually will pay for the accident. The costs are more than anyone can evaluate.

Undermentioned points are required to enhance the effectiveness of near miss reporting and prevention:

1. Promote Reporting Culture: Encourage the open communication and should be a non-punitive reporting culture. Employees should feel comfortable and be frank to report near misses without any fear.

2. Training and Awareness: Provide periodic training to employees / workers on identifying and reporting near misses at different workplaces. Also, enhance employees to increase awareness about the potential consequences of unreported incidents.

3. Clear Reporting Procedures: Establish clear and simple reporting procedures (in hard & saft copy). Make it easy for employees to report near misses, such as reporting forms or digital platforms.

4. Data Analysis: Analyze near miss data periodically. Identify patterns or trends to address underlying issues that may contribute to potential accidents.

5. Feedback and Communication: Provide prompt feedback to those reporting near misses. Communicate the actions taken to address the reported incidents, fostering a sense of involvement and improvement.

6. Continuous Improvement: Use near miss reports as opportunities for continuous improvement. Implement corrective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

7. Incentives: Consider implementing a recognition or incentive program for employees who actively contribute to near miss reporting and safety improvement.

8. Management Support: Ensure strong support from management. Leadership commitment to safety reinforces the importance of near miss reporting throughout the organization.

9. Integration with Safety Programs: Integrate near miss reporting into existing safety programs. Align it with other safety initiatives to create a comprehensive approach to workplace safety.

10. Documentation and Records: Maintain thorough documentation of near misses, including investigations and resolutions. Keep records for analysis, audits, and regulatory compliance.

By implementing above mentioned strategies, organizations can enhance their near miss reporting systems and can create a safer working environment.

Consequences

Ignoring a near miss can have various negative consequences, including:

1. Repetition of Incidents: Ignoring near misses increases the likelihood of similar incidents occurring in the future, potentially leading to actual accidents and injuries.

2. Safety Culture Erosion: Failing to address near misses undermines the safety culture within the organization, as employees may feel their concerns are not taken seriously.

3. Increased Risk Exposure: Ignoring near misses exposes the organization to higher levels of risk, with potential consequences ranging from injuries to damage of property or equipment.

4. Potential for Serious Accidents: Unaddressed near misses may escalate into more severe incidents, causing harm to employees, property, and the environment.

5. Regulatory Consequences: Ignoring near misses may lead to non-compliance with safety regulations, resulting in potential fines, legal actions, and damage to the organization’s reputation.

6. Financial Impact: Ignored near misses can result in increased operational costs due to potential accidents, medical expenses, insurance premiums, and repair or replacement of damaged equipment.

7. Loss of Productivity: Accidents resulting from unaddressed near misses can lead to downtime, disruptions in workflow, and a decrease in overall productivity.

8. Employee Dissatisfaction: Ignoring safety concerns can lead to employee dissatisfaction, reduced morale, and a negative impact on the employer-employee relationship.

9. Increased Turnover: A lack of response to near misses may contribute to a higher turnover rate as employees may seek a safer work environment elsewhere.

10. Damage to Reputation: Accidents resulting from ignored near misses can tarnish the organization’s reputation, affecting relationships with clients, customers, and stakeholders.

Overall, of above points avoiding or ignoring near misses can have severe consequences affecting both the well-being of employees and the overall health of the organization w.r.t., financial stability, regulatory compliance and reputation.

Near misses are “natural warnings” that something or someone is not performing the job correctly. Always pay attention to near misses and make a habit to comply safe working practices. Don’t let near misses repeat themselves or you may find yourself or a co-worker being treated for an injury that could have been avoided.

NOTE: Always promote a discussion on any of the topics covered in the Toolbox Talks (i.e. by Safety Officer). Should any question arise that you cannot answer, don’t hesitate to contact your Employer.

In conclusion, near misses serve as critical indicators of potential hazards within an organization. Successfully addressing and learning from near misses can lead to a strengthened safety culture, reduced risk exposure, and improved overall operational resilience. Ignoring these warning signs, however, may result in increased accidents, financial losses, regulatory consequences, and damage to the organization’s reputation.

Embracing a proactive approach to near miss reporting and prevention is essential for fostering a safe and secure work environment, ultimately benefiting both employees and the organization as a whole.

Safety Pedagogy

February 12, 2022 at 1:34 AM

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