THINK SAFE/ BE SAFE
SAFETY BRIEFING
NO. 43 NEAR MISS REPORTING
What Is A Near Miss?
A Near Miss is an unplanned event that did not result in injury, illness, and damage or product
loss - but had the potential to do so. The difference between a near miss and a full blown incident
is often a fraction of a second or a fraction of an inch that may not be there the next time. Near
misses are warnings of accidents in the making. By accepting these warnings and looking for their
causes, we can prevent these situations recurring.
Why Should They Be Reported?
The prevention and elimination of accidents can only be progressed by reporting the near misses
as they occur. If the near misses are not reported, then no incident investigations will be carried
out and none of the problems and warnings will be spotted. As a result, any learning points found
cannot be communicated to others, who will therefore be still "at risk". A near miss can be
considered as an indication that something is wrong, maybe with the system of work and it is
important that everyone is "warned" by each near miss that occurs so that standards can be
improved.
Ignoring the near misses and the conditions that lead to them is an open invitation for an accident
to occur. Do not shrug off the near misses because nothing happened, let's find out why they
happened and propose improvements to ensure that they do not happen again. This can only be
done with your help, by you reporting them as they occur.
If you can, give examples from your own experience or from site
LET US REGARD NEAR MISSES THE SAME WAY AS BAD ACCIDENTS. LET US WEED OUT
THE PROBLEMS WHILST WE STILL HAVE THE CHANCE
Ref: A Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. B The Management of Health and Safety at Work
Regulations 1999.
Talk No. 43 Page No. 1 of 3
THINK SAFE/ BE SAFE
Briefing Signature Form – Employee Record
Work Area/ Department:
Briefing Number: 43
Date of Meeting:
Meeting Leaders:
Summary of Subjects Raised at the Meeting:
Near Misses/ Accident reporting
Name
Signed (manager):
Personnel Present at the Meeting
Signature
Name
Signature
Any issues raised that could not be answered Yes / No
Date:
Talk No. 43 Page No. 2 of 3
THINK SAFE/ BE SAFE
Notes on briefing delivery
Key points to emphasise
Duty of care of the employer to employee to provide first aid, welfare and hygiene facilities
Duty of care of the employer to employee to provide accident and near miss arrangements
Duty of the employee to know the first aid, welfare and hygiene facilities
Duty of the employee to know the accident and near miss arrangements
Reminder of accident procedures: in the event of an accident you must
(also go through the first aid procedures)
Accidents are unplanned, uncontrolled events leading to loss
Near miss is the accident without the loss…
Something has gone wrong
Not the blame game/ need to learn
Importance of near miss reporting
Learn from near misses
Company procedures for near miss reporting
Props to use
Accident book
Timing
10 minutes
Questions to ask
How do you report a near miss?
When do you report a near miss?
Any issues to raise?
Further information
Company policy and arrangements for near miss reporting
Talk No. 43 Page No. 3 of 3