What is a Near Miss in Safety?

Definition and Importance of Near Misses

What is a Near Miss ?

A near miss is an event that could have caused harm or damage but didn't, often due to luck or quick thinking. These close calls are important because they show us potential risks that haven't yet resulted in actual harm. Recognizing and learning from them can help us improve safety and prevent future incidents.

Why Near Misses Matter

Near misses are crucial because they offer a glimpse into potential risks before they result in actual accidents. By looking into near misses and tackling them head-on, organizations can improve their safety protocols and help prevent future incidents.

Key Characteristics of Near Misses

Near Miss vs Accident

The difference between a near miss and an accident is pretty straightforward. An accident results in real harm or damage, while a near miss means no harm occurs. For instance, if a worker slips but catches themselves, that’s a near miss. If they fall and get hurt, that’s an accident. The difference between a near miss and an injury is often just a matter of luck.

Examples of Near Misses

Here are a few examples of near misses across different industries:

1. Construction Industry:
   A crane operator is working when a large beam swings unexpectedly and nearly hits a worker on the ground. The worker quickly dodges, avoiding injury, he was in the line of fire.
2. Manufacturing Industry:
   During machine maintenance, an employee notices that a safety guard is loose but doesn’t report it. Moments later, another worker starts the machine, and the loose guard nearly allows a part to eject, narrowly missing the worker.
3. Healthcare Industry:
   A nurse is about to administer medication when she realizes that the dosage on the label is incorrect. She catches the mistake before giving it to the patient, preventing a potential medical error.
4. Transportation Industry:
   A delivery driver swerves to dodge a pedestrian who unexpectedly steps into the street. Thankfully, there’s no collision.
5. Retail Industry:
   A stock clerk slips on a wet floor in a storage room but catches themselves before falling. The puddle wasn't marked with a "wet floor" sign.

The accident triangle:

Heinrich's Accident Triangle, also known simply as the Accident Triangle, shows how serious accidents, minor accidents, and near misses are connected. Introduced by William Heinrich in 1931, this concept highlights the need to reduce minor accidents to help prevent serious ones. The key idea is simple: by lowering the number of minor accidents, we can also reduce the chance of severe accidents happening.

Visual Representation

Development and Expansion by Frank E. Bird

In 1966, Frank E. Bird built on Heinrich's theory by analyzing 1.7 million reports from around 300 companies. His research showed a ratio of 1 fatal incident for every 10 serious accidents, 30 minor accidents, and 600 near misses. This model emphasizes the different types of incidents—we see that while serious accidents are less frequent, they carry more severity, whereas near misses happen often and are usually less serious. Understanding this can help HSE professionals prioritize safety and improve workplace practices.

Visual Representation

Though there are various versions of these accident triangles, originally created from data in the 60s, they remain relevant today.

Key Insights from the Triangle

1. Frequency vs. Severity: The triangle shows that serious accidents are uncommon compared to near misses. While near misses and minor incidents happen more often, they usually lead to less serious outcomes. However, if we don’t address these near misses, they could turn into serious injuries.
2. Focus on Prevention: The key lesson from the Accident Triangle is the importance of investigating near misses and taking preventive action. By tackling these incidents early, organizations can lower the chances of severe accidents and enhance overall safety.

Encouraging Near Miss Reporting

Reporting near misses is crucial for enhancing workplace safety. It provides invaluable insights into potential hazards before they become accidents. According to the National Safety Council, for every reported incident, there are approximately 10 near misses that go unreported. This under-reporting can lead to a false sense of security regarding safety practices.

Here are some options to encourage the reporting of near misses:

• Offer a handy reporting tool: It’s best when workers can quickly report near misses right on the spot without needing to head to a computer or deal with paperwork. Apps like YOUFactors have a close call reporting feature that lets you easily report near misses as they happen, add photos, and fill out a simple, standardized questionnaire—all right from your pocket!
• Create a Safety-First Culture: Build a space where employees feel comfortable speaking up by moving away from blame and punishment. Managers should emphasize that near miss reports are about spotting hazards, not pointing fingers.  
• Make Reporting Simple: Streamline the reporting process to be as easy as possible. Use user-friendly digital platforms or accessible paper forms, and consider offering anonymous reporting for those who may be hesitant to share their identities.  
• Anonymity: While not all near miss reports need to be anonymous, it's a good idea to give people the option. Near misses shouldn't come with a name attached. For example, instead of saying, "Stuart reported this near miss committed by John; can you tell us more about that?" let's just keep it straightforward and avoid any awkwardness.
• Keep Communication Open: Frequently remind everyone why near miss reporting is important and how it helps improve safety protocols. Share success stories about how reported near misses have led to identifying and addressing hazards.

Common Causes of Near Misses

Human Errors: Human error can happen for several reasons, like being tired, distracted, overly confident (or complacent), or feeling rushed. When we’re tired our focus and reaction times drop, making us more likely to make mistakes. Distractions—whether from noise or trying to do too many things at once—can pull our attention from important tasks. Complacency sets in when we become too sure of our skills, leading to poor judgment. Finally, rushing either to meet a deadline or because we're running late can increase the chance of errors. Recognizing these factors is key to reducing risks and enhancing performance in health and safety.

Lack of Training: When employees aren’t properly trained, they miss out on the key knowledge and skills needed to do their jobs safely. This lack of understanding can lead to avoidable mistakes. Inadequate training not only hinders an employee's ability to spot potential hazards but also affects their judgment when facing unexpected dangers. It's essential to provide clear and practical instruction to help keep everyone safe.

Environmental Factors: Environmental factors like poor lighting or cluttered workspaces, as well as equipment malfunctions, can contribute to near misses. Regular maintenance and a well-organized work environment help mitigate these risks.

Investigating Near Misses or Close Calls

To effectively investigate a near miss, follow these straightforward steps:

• Identify the Source of Error: Find out if the mistake came from personal actions, someone else, or a problem with the equipment.
• Document the Incident: Write down what happened, including the time and place of the incident.
• Assess the Risk Level: Classify the risk as low, minor, major, or serious.
• Analyze Contributing Factors: Think about emotional states like rushing, frustration, fatigue, or complacency. Also, look for specific mistakes such as losing focus, losing balance, or being in a dangerous area.
• Propose Corrective Actions: Suggest steps to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
• Use Tools for Documentation: Use tools to record all relevant details and attach photos if you can, for a complete picture of the incident.

By following these steps, you’ll ensure a thorough and effective investigation that supports a safer environment.

How YOUFactors Can Help

YOUFactors offers an effective near miss and close call reporting feature that allows for anonymous submissions, data analysis, and real-time feedback. This tool promotes a proactive safety culture and helps organizations improve their safety processes continuously. Additionally, YOUFactors includes essential features like Habit Reminder and Rate Your State, designed to prevent accidents before they occur. Our goal is to make safety a natural part of everyday life and reduce incidents effectively.