A near miss is an unplanned event that did not result in injury, illness, or damage but had the potential to do so.
Brief Explanation of the term “Near Miss”
Near misses are crucial indicators of underlying safety hazards, including unsafe acts, conditions, system failures and weaknesses within a safety management system. It serves as an early warning sign of possible hazards in the workplace and provides an opportunity to investigate and implement corrective actions before an actual incident occurs. Many organizations implement near-miss reporting programs to encourage proactive hazard identification and control.
Example:
A worker was walking beneath a section of newly erected scaffolding, his mind focused on the task ahead. Suddenly, a sharp ping echoed. An anchor bolt had dislodged from the scaffolding above and fallen, landing a mere two feet away. He stared at the bolt, the near miss sending a jolt of shock through him due to the close proximity of the falling object. He breathed, the words barely a whisper, ‘That could have been my head.
Why it’s a near miss:
- An unplanned event occurred (the anchor bolt falling).
- There was a significant potential for serious injury or fatality (the bolt could have struck him).
- Only chance prevented injury (the bolt landed close but did not hit him).
The worker, still shaken, immediately reported the incident to his supervisor. The site safety officer was called, and an investigation began. They examined the scaffolding, finding that the anchor bolt had not been properly tightened. The vibrations from nearby heavy machinery had likely caused it to work loose.
A near miss is an unplanned event that did not result in injury, illness, or damage but had the potential to do so. It serves as an early warning sign of possible hazards in the workplace and provides an opportunity for corrective action before an actual incident occurs.