What is a “near miss?” Webster defines it as: “A result that is nearly, but not quite, successful.” What does this mean to industry? It simply means that a serious accident almost occurred. Someone trips over a pallet, but doesn’t fall. Two forklifts almost collide at a corner.
A tool is dropped, but toes are missed…this time.
Statistics tell us that for every 300 near misses there is one serious injury. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 4.2 million recordable injuries occurred during 2005. If we multiply each injury by 300, the result is 1.2 billion near misses for 2005 alone. This equals about 9.5 near misses per worker in 2005.So what does this tell us about accidents? Look at the figures. If you reduce the number of near misses, probability tells us you will then reduce the number of injuries that happen.
The Same Things That Cause Accidents Cause Near Misses:
· Unsafe acts, such as improper lifting; walking under an overhead load; cutting, grinding, or chipping without safety glasses; not using proper Personal Protective Equipment, etc.
· Unsafe conditions, such as poorly maintained equipment, oil or grease on floors, welding leads that have been laid in walkways, trash and boxes that have been left in hallways, etc.
· Hurrying and taking risks to get a project done faster, or to wrap up a job at quitting time.
· Distractions or not concentrating on the task that is being performed.
Report Near Misses Before They Become Accidents:
· Once a near miss occurs, report it immediately to the nearest foreman or supervisor. The potential for such incidents exists all over the workplace, so all employees—not just supervisors– must help identify them.
· If the near miss is a result of an unsafe condition, don’t continue to work under that condition until the problem has been corrected and your supervisor gives the okay to proceed.
· If the incident is a result of unsafe acts, be certain that everyone involved has been alerted to their actions before they continue with the job.
Near Misses Are A Warning:
Letting a near miss go unreported provides an opportunity for a serious accident to occur. Correcting these actions or conditions will enhance the safety within your facility and provide a better working environment for everyone involved. Don’t let yourself or coworkers become statistics–report near misses to your supervisor. Prevent An Accident That’s About To Happen!