What is meant by “near miss” reporting?

“Near miss” reporting refers specifically to incidents that could have resulted in injury or harm but thankfully did not. This concept plays a vital role in safety management systems, as it encourages the identification and reporting of potentially hazardous situations. By documenting near misses, organizations can analyze what went wrong and implement preventive measures to avoid actual accidents in the future. This proactive approach fosters a culture of safety and continuous improvement within the workplace.

For example, if a worker drops a heavy object that narrowly misses a colleague, that incident would be reported as a near miss. The focus is on the potential for harm rather than any actual damage or injury that occurred, which allows for critical insights into safety practices and risk factors in the environment.