Accidents are an ever-present risk in every workplace, from construction sites to offices. But what about the accidents that almost happen?
These incidents, known as near misses, are early warning signs that something in your safety system isn’t working. Although no one gets hurt and no damage occurs, near misses reveal underlying hazards that could lead to serious injuries or fatalities if left unchecked.
In this guide, we’ll explore what a near miss in the workplace looks like, how to recognise a near miss situation and why near misses play an important role in health and safety strategies.
What Is A Near Miss?
A near miss is an incident that had the potential to cause harm or damage but did not result in actual injury, illness or loss. In other words, it’s a close call. Something went wrong, but by chance or quick action, nobody got hurt and nothing was broken.
Unlike accidents, near misses don’t result in harm. But they do reveal gaps in your risk control measures, making them valuable learning opportunities.
Real Examples Of Near Misses
To understand the scope of a near miss in health and safety, consider these real-world examples:
| Workplace Type | Near Miss Example |
| Construction | A scaffold pole falls from a height but lands harmlessly. |
| Manufacturing | A forklift narrowly avoids colliding with a worker due to a blind spot. |
| Office | An employee trips over a loose cable but doesn’t fall. |
| Healthcare | A nurse administers the wrong medication, but it’s intercepted before reaching the patient. |
These scenarios may seem minor on paper, but each had the potential to result in serious consequences. Identifying and acting on these risks is key to prevention.
Near Miss Incident Vs. Accident
It’s important to distinguish between these commonly confused terms:
- Near Miss: No harm or damage, but it could have happened.
- Incident: A broader term that can include near misses, accidents, or dangerous occurrences.
- Accident: An unplanned event that results in injury, illness or damage.
Understanding the difference helps organisations categorise and investigate reports more effectively.
Related Reading: Workplace Accidents Vs Incidents: What Are The Differences?
Is It A Legal Requirement To Report A Near Miss?
No, there’s no legal requirement in the UK to report near misses under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations); however, organisations have a duty of care to monitor and improve health and safety practices.
Capturing near-miss data aligns with guidance from regulatory bodies like the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which recommends investigating near misses to improve safety management systems. In many cases, insurers, stakeholders and clients will expect to see evidence of this kind of proactive risk management.
Why Do Near Misses Often Go Unreported?
Despite their importance, near misses frequently go unreported. There are several reasons for this. Some workers may fear blame or disciplinary action, while others may feel as though reporting a non-incident is a waste of time. In some instances, near misses are so frequent that they become normalised.
This mindset is dangerous. Ignoring near misses creates blind spots in risk assessments and allows unsafe behaviours or conditions to continue unchecked. By failing to report them, businesses miss the opportunity to improve processes and protect their workers.
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Why Is It Important To Report A Near Miss?
Failing to report near misses means missing out on an important opportunity to improve safety within the workplace. Some key reasons to report include:
- Prevention: Near misses help identify weak points in processes, training or equipment before an accident occurs.
- Accountability: Encouraging near-miss reporting improves safety, accountability and openness within the team.
- Compliance: Though not always legally required, near-miss reporting supports broader health and safety responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
- Data: Logging near misses provides useful trend data that can inform your risk assessments and safety strategy.
How To Encourage Near-Miss Reporting Within Your Workplace
The key to improving near-miss reporting surrounds removing barriers and making the process quick and simple. Here’s how businesses can make that happen:
1. Encourage Openness
Reassure workers that the purpose of reporting is for their safety, not to punish. Near-miss reporting should be a part of a wider safety culture that values openness and improvement.
2. Provide Easy Reporting Channels
Whether it’s a paper form, an app or a verbal report to a supervisor, the method must be accessible and easy to do.
3. Offer Training And Examples
Employees are more likely to report near misses if they understand what counts as one. Use training sessions, toolbox talks and signage to clarify what should be reported.
4. Act On The Information
People won’t report issues if nothing happens afterwards. Make sure you review near-miss reports, investigate causes and implement changes. Then, feed that back to the workforce.
What Is A Near-Miss Inspection?
A near-miss inspection involves reviewing workplace areas, tasks or incidents where near misses have occurred to uncover root causes and prevent recurrence. This process may include:
- Interviewing those involved
- Reconstructing events
- Reviewing equipment or systems
- Identifying environmental or procedural contributors
These inspections are vital to ongoing risk assessment and should be documented with clear findings and actions taken.
Related Reading: Risk Identification: Techniques To Spot And Address Business Risk
What Is A Near-Miss Report?
A near-miss report records details of the incident, including:
- The time, date and location
- The people involved or present
- A description of what happened and what could have happened
- Immediate actions taken
- Suggestions for improvement
The report helps health and safety teams assess the level of risk and implement appropriate control measures. It also creates a paper trail that can be useful for audits or investigations.
What Is A Near-Miss Certificate?
While not an official legal document, a near-miss certificate is sometimes issued as part of internal training or recognition schemes. It may acknowledge that a near miss was correctly reported and handled or form part of a broader incentive program to encourage vigilance and reporting.
These certificates can help shift workplace attitudes, showing that proactive safety behaviour is recognised and valued.
Related Reading: When Should a Risk Assessment Be Carried Out?
A near-miss is not just a lucky escape; it’s a red flag that should never be ignored. In workplaces committed to health, safety and social responsibility, near misses are invaluable opportunities to learn, adapt and improve.
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