Using Near Miss Reporting to
Enhance Safety Performance
Jeff Ruebesam , Fluor Corporation
RT 301, Using Near Miss Reporting to Enhance Safety Performance
2014 CII Annual Conference July 21 –23 • Indianapolis, Indiana

Research Team 301, Using Near Miss Reporting to
Enhance Safety Performance
Patricia Anthony , DTE Energy
David Clark , SAIC Constructors, LLC
Glen Clement , ConocoPhillips
Bryon Creech , CH2M HILL
Dennis Cobb , Phillips 66
Bill Drust , Praxair
Bob Fitzgerald , Southern Company
Jason Fulton , Dresser-Rand Company
Larry Green , BP
Carroll Higdon , The Robins & Morton Group
Jimmie Hinze , University of Florida
Steve Holland , GE Energy
John Holliday , Georgia-Pacific Corporation
Eric Marks , Georgia Tech
Brian McKay , Bechtel/Fairweather
Sixto Mendez , SKEC USA, Inc
Anthony Miller , Parsons
Wes Rimes , Yates Construction
Jeff Ruebesam , Fluor Corporation
Brandon Shell , ExxonMobil
Roger Smith , Zurich Services Corporation
Alicia Weber , Jacobs

Pro-Active
Safety
Safety
Management
Foundation for Safety
Near Miss Reporting (RT 301)
Design for Safety
(RT 101) 1995
Hazard Recognition
(RT 293) 2003
Implementing
Active Leading
Indicators
(RT 284) 2012
Real-time Pro-
Active Safety in
Construction
(RT 269) 2010
Targeted Safety Programs
(RT 216) 2006
Managing Subcontractor
Safety (RT 13) 1990
Safety Plus: Making Zero Accidents a
Reality (RT 160) 2002
Improved Workers’
Compensation
Management (RT 45) 1995
Owner’s Role in
Construction Worker Safety
(RT 190) 2003
Zero Injury Techniques (RT 32) 1993
Organizational Commitment to Safety

CII RT 284

• Why near miss reporting?
– Motivate and empower the workforce to be a partner in safety
– Recognize and communicate unsafe conditions and close-calls
– Take action to reduce risk and prevent adverse outcomes
• Near miss definition:
– An unplanned event or unsafe condition that has the potential for injury or illness to people, or damage to property, or the environment

Fatality
Near Miss
(including hazardous conditions)
At Risk
Behavior
Heinrich’s Safety Pyramid

Define
Encourage Roll Out
Communicate
Corrective
Actions
Analyze
Collect

• Reporting flowchart
• Reporting card
• Database
• Evaluation Tool

Barriers
• Fear of retaliation
• Fear that reporting reflects poorly on performance
• Absence of a trusting environment
• Lack of training
• No follow-up
Enablers
• Communication
• Leadership and motivation
• Guidance and resources
• Near miss reporting training
• Reward strategy
“If you see it, you own it” – Interviewed Safety Manager

• A strong safety foundation is a prerequisite, however…
• An effective near miss reporting program:
– Is the most effective leading indicator (CII RT 284)
– Helps overcome “fear” and builds “trust” with the workforce
– Is best measured by user feedback, not reporting quotas
– Enhances hazard awareness, lowers risk, and improves safety performance
– Only works if everyone (craft worker to senior management) buys in
– Can help us break the performance plateau
– Can help save lives

• Detailed discussions
– Site interviews
– Monitoring and intervention
– Implementation strategies
• Demonstration of implementation tools
– Information flowchart/reporting card
– Reporting database template
– Program evaluation tool
• Panel Q & A

Visit the Implementation Sessions and
Product Display Table
Implementation Session 1
Grand Ballroom 7-8 today, 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Implementation Session 2
Grand Ballroom 7-8 tomorrow, 8:35 a.m. – 9:35 a.m.