Near Misses / Non - Reported Occurrence

Bonitz managers, foremen and the safety department know the value of information.  Gathering and using hazard assessments, injury, and illness information are tools of the safety trade in preventing injuries.  One area of information frequently overlooked through is near misses, commonly called a non-reported occurrence at Bonitz.  It’s not enough to review injuries that have almost occurred; we must also consider injuries that have almost occurred.  Unfortunately, near miss information is hard to get due to associates reluctance in reporting near miss incidents.

Near Misses Are Prevention Opportunities Lost

In the course of conducting an incident/injury investigation, nothing is more frustrating than to learn that the same circumstances that led to an injury are the same circumstances that led to an injury are the same as those that went unreported because accidents were narrowly missed and nobody got hurt.  You hear: “I slipped on that same spot yesterday;” or, “we knew that the tool was malfunctioning three days ago.” If only associates or sub contractors working in and around the area who knew of the danger had said something, action would have been taken and the injury could have been prevented.

Why Near Misses Go Unreported

Associates, and others involved, could do themselves and other workers a favor by reporting near misses to the jobsite foreman or to the safety department.  So, why don’t they?  Here are several reasons:

• They don’t recognize the event (incident) as a near miss that needs to be reported.  “I didn’t get hurt – so nothing actually happened.”
• Associates or subs involved fear discipline for causing the incident and don’t want to “turn themselves or a co-worker in.”
• Reporting takes time.  “I’ll have to write a report for this?”
• Individuals don’t know how to report near misses. “Who do I tell?  What do I report?”

Overcoming Reluctance

Everyone needs to be educated so that a red light goes off in their heads when they witness a near miss.  They need to understand that the same conditions, unless addressed, could result in future incidents.  The next time it might lead to injuries or a fatality.  They also need to understand that the situation might not be addressed, unless they report it.  Bonitz managers and foremen play a key role in education and awareness of reporting near miss incidents.  We must instill the urgency of reporting the near miss incident into each associate and sub contractor.

Ways to Improve Near Miss Reporting

1. Expand the definition of incident to include not only injuries but also near misses and hazardous conditions which could cause a possible injury.
2. Require that all incidents be reported immediately even if there is not an injury.
3. Educate associates and subcontractors about what constitutes a near miss and why they’re to be reported. Everyone needs to know that reporting a near miss is a Good Thing!
4. Make it easy to report a near miss.  Use a Non-Reported Occurrence form.

At Bonitz Safe Work means No Injuries and reporting near misses is the best way to prevent injuries.