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30 Near Miss Examples to Improve Your Reports

Sharing a near miss is second nature. It’s a relief to tell a loved one about a narrow escape at work. And it’s entertaining to share a video of a worker on a ladder stacked on — you guessed it— more ladders. 

While it’s natural to share close calls in a casual way, reporting a near miss often goes against human nature. For one, reporting means taking time away from the task at hand. Two, it calls attention to everyone involved in an event that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. Many employees fear being blamed , shamed, or even punished for reporting.

Should we brush off close shaves? Not if reporting them makes the workplace safer—and it does. When a report is used to improve safety processes, workplace injuries and deaths decrease.

What’s a Near Miss?

According to the National Safety Council (NSC) and OSHA Alliance , near misses are events that could have led to bodily harm and/or property loss but didn’t—this time.

Take, for example, a missing hazard label. The missing label itself is not a near miss, but if an employee is nearly injured by the improperly labeled substance, the event would be considered a near miss.

A near miss report should lead to hazard resolution and preventative measures. However, if the event isn’t reported or addressed, a serious injury could easily result—possibly only hours later—from the same or similar circumstances.

That’s why reporting is strongly recommended by OSHA. Although a near miss system isn’t required under OSHA law , eliminating known hazards is required. Regular reporting allows you to correct unsafe conditions and reduce costs associated with workplace injuries.

What a Near Miss Isn’t

If the event led to property damage or bodily injury, it’s an incident.

Where there wasn’t an event or action at all, most people use the terms hazard, safety concern, or unsafe condition. Reporting unsafe conditions is equally important, of course, and some companies roll hazards onto their near miss reporting form while others handle them separately.

30 Near Miss Examples 

Below you’ll find 30 near miss examples that could apply to various industries. Use them as guides to determine when to report and how to describe an event. In each of these scenarios, you’ll see that the event could have easily led to a preventable injury had the event played out to its logical conclusion. 

Slips, Trips, and Fall Near Misses

• A worker slips on condensation that had dripped onto the floor but doesn’t fall (this time).
• A worker trips over an unmarked step and falls without injury.
• A trip occurs when a worker attempts to walk through packaging materials dispersed across the floor.
• A fall occurs when a worker attempts to ascend an unstable ladder.
• You trip and fall in a dimly lit space.

Tip: In your report, be sure to include all conditions and circumstances that led to the slip, trip, or fall.

Risky Behavior and Horseplay Near Misses

• You jump down to another level, like everyone else does, putting too much pressure on your back and knees when landing.
• A worker slips off of a pallet jack while riding it down a warehouse aisle.
• A co-worker attempts to quickly retrieve an item left on a steep roof alone, without fall protection .
• A worker continues working while lightheaded and eventually faints.
• Two workers roughhouse and make contact with a third worker.

Tip: Don’t use a behavior-driven near miss to cast blame. Instead, implement measures to prevent similar events in the future.

Narrow Escapes

• Your leg was momentarily caught between a pallet of materials and a support structure (no injury).
• A worker’s clothing gets caught in machinery; it tears before an injury is sustained.
• A worker jumps out of the way moments before getting hit by a hot item being carried by another worker through a narrow walkway, narrowly avoiding severe burns.
• A worker finds a live, damaged electrical cord that is lying in a pool of water before contact is made.
• A 5-gallon bucket of paint falls from heights, landing close to a worker (without injury or property damage).

Tip: Narrow escapes often happen due to a combination of unsafe practices. Identify and address all contributing factors.

Working at Heights

• While working on a third-floor roof, one worker throws an object to another, causing him to lose his balance in an attempt to catch it.
• While working on a 55 ft. roof, you lean onto an unsecured skylight panel and fall but are caught by your protective gear. 
• A worker who is not wearing fall protection on a roof stumbles and slides.
• Poorly maintained scaffolding begins to lean when workers ascend.
• A co-worker sets up fall anchors and you notice errors before you begin working for the day.

Tip: Fall protection is the most commonly cited OSHA violation . Reporting near misses in this category can save a life.

Signage & Hazard Communication

• An area of the workplace is under construction but employees weren’t notified, so multiple workers walk through the area without taking proper precautions.
• Two moving vehicles nearly collide at an intersection with low visibility.
• You nearly come into contact with a harmful substance that had been temporarily stored in the wrong container.
• You nearly touch an extremely hot surface due to a broken indicator light.
• Due to missing signage, electrical work is nearly performed on equipment that requires lockout.

Tip: Communication is the most common root cause of hazard-related near misses.

Equipment Operation & Maintenance

• A worker operates a heavy trencher without checking for the presence of underground utilities.
• A co-worker operating a skid steer near a trench causes a wall collapse while no workers are inside. 
• A worker attempts to manually clear a jam from a dangerous piece of equipment without cutting power to the machine. 
• A crane operator has a near hit with a worker.
• A piece of poorly maintained equipment sparks; the sparks fall into flammable materials.

Tip: As your training and re-training systems improve, your near misses in this category should decrease.

Improve Your Near Miss Reporting System

According to Emory University’s EHS department, the same things that cause near misses cause incidents. By monitoring near misses, you’re also fulfilling your goal to reduce workplace accidents. 

For Employees

If you’re an employee, report near misses to reduce your chances of being injured at work. An easy way to determine if an event is reportable is to ask yourself if an injury could have occurred had the chain of events not been broken by someone noticing and avoiding the hazard. 

If your employer doesn’t have a near miss system, the Safesite app is a free, easy way to start. You can use the app free of charge on iOS or Android devices to quickly:

• Report near misses .
• Report associated hazards.
• Notify key staff of the event. (You can invite users from your dashboard.)
• Keep track of actions taken to address the issue.

Or, you can print out a stack of near miss forms (Google Doc) and start making your workplace safer. If starting a system is not your call, you can email these resources to your supervisor or employer. 

For Employers 

Do your managers blame subordinates after a close call? Do you blame or retaliate against managers? If so, you may be cutting off a potential lifeline. A record of close calls can improve your safety practices and decrease your incident rate, but employees won’t report if they fear getting into trouble for the event—or even for taking the time to report it. 

When employees do report, investigate and respond. After a near miss:

• Address hazards immediately.
• Identify a root cause.
• Address the root cause at the process and/or training level.

Keep your reporting system simple and easy. Use reported close calls to train all of your employees and refine your processes. 

Near Miss Process Examples

Example 1 – Semi-Digital Process

• Equip managers with a digital near miss reporting tool .
• Teach employees to report near misses (verbally or on paper) to their managers, who will then record the near incident on the app while in the field.
• Encourage and/or incentivize employees to share near misses.
• Immediately address related hazards.
• Record all of the details of the event, including images of the area where it occurred.
• Address the root cause at the equipment/supplies, process, or training level.
• Monitor near miss trend reports to make deeper improvements over time.

Example 2 – Fully Digital Process

• Equip all employees with a digital near miss reporting tool .
• Monitor near miss trend reports to help you make deeper improvements over time.

Example 3 – Paper Process

• Equip all job sites with paper near miss reports .
• Record all of the details of the event.
• File or digitize paper reports and store for a year or more depending on documentation regulations for your industry.

Use Safesite to Manage Near Misses

Safesite is a real-time near miss and incident reporting app. To report a near miss, fill out a short digital incident report form on desktop or mobile (available for free on iOS and Android ). Include a description of the event and, if needed, identify a root cause, associated hazards, and/or add images. For step-by-step instructions on reporting near misses with the Safesite app, visit our help center .  

In addition to incident and near miss reporting, employees can use Safesite to quickly log hazards , create tasks , and send daily reports .

A near miss is an event that could have been a workplace accident had things played out differently. Near miss reporting isn’t required by federal OSHA but it is a common safety management practice.

Keep a record of—and respond to—close call events to reduce the likelihood an injury or illness will occur. Get started with a paper or a free digital reporting system, like Safesite . To improve your system, eliminate blame casting, investigate near misses, and implement site-wide improvements. 

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By Team Safesite

We're a group of safety and tech professionals united in our desire to make every workplace safer. We keep a pulse on the latest regulations, standards, and industry trends in safety and write about them here on our blog.

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Related blog posts, ladder inspections and checklists for ladder safety, a short guide to osha recordkeeping requirements, why employee engagement is the key to unlocking safety program performance.

The 18 Near Miss Reporting Examples You Need To Know

The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that 75 percent of workplace accidents follow at least one near miss event. This stark fact shows exactly how important it is to report a close call and to follow up that report with a hazard resolution. 

However, sometimes, even seasoned QHSE professionals need help to distinguish whether an occurrence is a near miss incident, an accident or simply a hazard. Hopefully, this article about near miss reporting examples will aid your decision making and help keep your reporting accurate.

What is a Near Miss? 

The definition of a near miss per OSHA is a situation “in which a worker might have been hurt if the circumstances had been slightly different.” The root cause of this could be the equipment being in an unsafe condition, an employee committing an unsafe act or any other close call that happens in the workplace. 

A good rule of thumb is that the unsafe equipment or act is the hazard or “safety concern”, and the incident it causes is the near miss. If there is an injury, illness or damage as a result of the hazard, that is an incident and should be reported as such. 

The concept behind the near miss report is that it flags the hazard , which the QHSE team can then remedy before it leads to an incident. 

18 Near Miss Examples

There are a plethora of types of near miss examples. Workers in construction, for instance, can find themselves involved in narrow escapes or near collisions. But the near misses they are likely to experience are different than those manufacturing workers need to watch out for. 

That being said, here are 18 different kinds of near misses in the workplace (examples):

Slips and Trips

• A faulty air conditioning unit leaks condensation onto a surface and causes an employee to slip as they walk by. 
• Spilled ball bearings are left in a workway of a manufacturing plant, leading to a slip.
• A firefighting hose is left uncoiled and a firefighter trips as they rush to board another fire truck. 

Narrow Escapes

• An unsecured door on a ship swings open in rough seas, almost striking someone who leaps out of the way. 
• A heavy box falls from a high shelf in a factory and lands close to an employee on the ground.
• An electrical worker nearly begins work on cabling but realises just in time that an exposed wire is still live.
• A decorator uses an upturned bucket rather than a stepladder to reach the top of a window. The bucket buckles and he has to grab a fixture to keep himself steady.   
• A worker on a roof slips before she connects to her anchor. She holds on to the chimney to prevent herself from falling.
• An employee on scaffolding drops an item on a rope to a co-worker below, who has to lean out to reach it, unbalancing himself in the process.

Risky Behavior

• An employee operates heavy machinery while medicated on drugs that make him drowsy. 
• An electrician attempts to quickly rewire an appliance without isolating the power first. 
• Co-workers race forklift trucks in a warehouse, narrowly avoiding clipping a rack as they take a tight corner. 

Hazard Communication

• Workers handle hazardous chemicals without proper PPE due to the lack of a warning label on the container. 
• Vehicles almost collide due to road warning signs being obscured by an overgrown hedge. 
• No warning is given about the need to wear ear protectors in a noisy environment and workers enter the area without taking precautions. 

Equipment Operation and Maintenance

• An employee uses machinery for which they have not received the required training. 
• A worker attempts to drill a wall without first checking for pipes and wires.
• A tree surgeon tries to remove debris from the teeth of a chainsaw without ensuring they have disconnected it from the power source. 

How Do You Write a Near Miss Report? 

Every business needs to provide its employees with a near miss reporting form that allows them to disclose what happened and when. There is no set layout for this form, but you should think about what information you require to help you deal with the hazard that caused the near miss. 

At the very least, the person writing the report should detail where the close call took place, when it occured and what happened. The more detail, the better for helping to ensure the hazard does not lead to an accident further down the line. Here is a table to what you need on your near miss form and what to add in to increase its value:

The Oklahoma State University near miss safety form features the majority of the above and is a good near miss report form template from which to create your own detailed accounts.

What is a Near Miss Reporting System?

A near miss reporting system provides employees with a clear pathway for informing the relevant people of close calls in the workplace. If there is a simple and effective strategy for reporting a near miss accident as soon as it happens, you can set to work fixing the problem before it leads to a workplace safety incident.

It could be as simple as a requirement to fill in a paper form every time there is a near miss and pass it on to a superior. Some businesses ask employees to complete an online form, and others use specialised near miss software and apps. 

Whatever system you use, the important elements are that your reports are delivered in good time, informative and acted on swiftly. Technically, you do not need a near miss reporting system for OSHA compliance.

“OSHA strongly encourages employers to investigate all incidents in which a worker was hurt, as well as close calls (sometimes called “near misses”)”

It’s the employer’s responsibility , though, to,

“Provide a workplace free from serious recognized hazards and comply with standards, rules and regulations issued under the OSH Act.”

Even if there is no official OSHA near miss requirement, having a system in place identifies these hazards and can prevent accidents occurring, so it is definitely recommended. 

How to Get Employees to Report Near Misses

One of the issues with getting employees to report near misses is that they can sometimes worry about being punished for holding up jobs or dropping a colleague in trouble. In addition, if their actions led to near miss accidents at work, they might prefer to keep quiet, rather than admit their role in the hazard. Of course, this could be disastrous for the company and for them or their co-workers. 

This means that businesses must focus on improving their safety culture so that near miss reporting is seen as a necessity. It should be encouraged at every opportunity and be shown to be the norm rather than something to be concerned about. 

Allowing workers to file near miss safety reports anonymously is one option for encouraging them to come forward. Another is implementing a near miss reporting incentive program . You could hand out rewards for near miss reports, keep a points tally with prizes for the highest scorers or even place reporters into a draw to win something substantial at the end of the financial year. 

These incentives show that the business encourages reports and values the contribution of staff to help create a safe workplace.  

Additional information: Near Miss Reporting System Guide by NSC

The importance of reporting near misses cannot be underestimated. The only thing stopping these events turning into future accidents resulting in bodily harm or damage is… luck. 

Although you are not obligated to employ a near miss system, it makes sense to implement one and encourage workers to use it. It doesn’t matter which industry you work in — the 18 near miss reporting examples featured here show that there are hazards across all sectors. Ensuring your staff spot hazards and that safety professionals remedy them as soon as possible is in everyone’s best interest.

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Near-miss Incident Report Template

We are pleased to offer you a comprehensive Near Miss Incident Report Template, available to you completely free of charge. This template is designed to assist organizations in effectively documenting and reporting near miss incidents, promoting a proactive approach to workplace safety.

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About this near-miss incident report form:

Our Near Miss Incident Report Template is provided in multiple file formats, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PDF. This allows you to choose the format that best suits your preferences and workflow. Whether you prefer to fill out the report electronically, print it for handwritten entries, or customize it according to your specific requirements, we have you covered.

Looking for a digital solution? Explore the Safetymint near miss reporting software .

Why choose our Near miss Incident Report Template?

Professionally designed: Our template has been carefully crafted to capture all the essential details of a near miss incident , ensuring that no critical information is overlooked.

User-friendly: The template features a user-friendly format with clearly labeled sections and prompts, making it easy to complete and understand.

Comprehensive coverage: We have included a wide range of fields and categories to ensure that all relevant information related to the near miss incident is captured accurately.

Multiple file formats: With options to download the template in MS Word, Excel, or PDF, you have the flexibility to choose the format that seamlessly integrates with your existing systems and processes.

Please note that while our template serves as a valuable resource, it should be customized to align with your company’s specific needs and reporting requirements. We always recommend reviewing and consulting with your safety team to ensure the template fits your organization’s processes and procedures.

To access the free Near Miss Safety Incident Reporting Template, simply click on the preferred button below.

If you’re looking for improved efficiency in your inincident management process, try Safetymint. We offer a no-obligation free trial.

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Near Miss Reporting – Examples and Procedure for Near Miss Events

You may brush off a near miss incident at work but that’s the worst way to respond to this type of close call. A near miss event often indicates that there are potential safety hazards in the workplace.

To ensure safety at your company, and avoid OSHA-related penalties , all near misses need to be reported.

What Is a Near Miss Incident?

OSHA defines a near miss as an incident that did not result in property damage or employee injury or sickness. However, the event had the potential to have disastrous consequences. When a near miss occurs, it’s the result of unsafe working conditions or employee actions.

Near Miss Examples

A few examples of a near miss at work can be seen below.

• An employee slips on condensation from an overhead pipe or water from cleaning that isn’t properly mopped up but doesn’t fall or otherwise injure themselves.
• A co-worker trips on material left in the walkway or a dimly lit hallway.
• Two employees are rough-playing and bump into a third, non-involved party.
• A worker’s loose clothing is caught in a machine, but tears before an employee is injured.

Tools and other items are not secured when stored at heights, fall off, and narrowly miss nearby employees.

Near Miss Reporting for OSHA

It’s impossible to prevent all near misses but reporting each one will prevent it from reoccurring. OSHA strongly encourages employees and managers to record every near miss and investigate the incident , regardless of how minor it was.

The workplace health and safety organization also recommends using the term “incident” instead of “accident.” An accident is often viewed as non-preventable, while incidents are events that happen when proper safety protocols aren’t in place.

Is Near Miss Reporting a Legal Requirement?

Companies are not legally required to report near misses to OSHA or another organization. Only events that result in injury, illness, and property damaged are reported. It doesn’t mean that the incident is forgotten. Instead, companies should have a strategy on how the incidents are reported and resolved.

Why Is It Important to Report a Near Miss?

A near miss indicates that there is a hazard or lapse in current safety practices. Ignoring the event, instead of reporting it means that the problem still exists. Unfortunately, it’s only a matter of time before an employee is injured or damaged to equipment occurs.

Near Miss Reporting Benefits

Reporting near misses reduces the chances of the incident happening again. It also ensures that the potential hazard is eliminated once it’s addressed by a corresponding workplace injury prevention program .

Companies also benefit financially from the reports. Medical expenses, workers’ compensation, and the cost associated with an accident all affect a company’s bottom line.

How to Structure Your Near Miss Policy and Procedure

Starting a near miss policy and procedure program requires businesses to follow a few steps. It streamlines the reporting process and ensures all employees understand the safety policy and procedures.

Report the Incident

It doesn’t matter how large or small the incident was, or who it happened to. Employees need to report all near misses.

Secure the Scene of the Incident

It’s important to secure the scene of the incident. You’re looking for clues as to why the event occurred. It also protects other employees from the potential hazard until you can resolve it.

Communicate to Safety Officers

Part of your safety protocols should include managers and/or employees that are responsible for eliminating workplace hazards. Your safety officers should be made aware of any near misses and ready to receive the incident report.

Fill Out the Near Miss Reporting Form

OSHA has a handy template that businesses can use when employees need to fill out a near miss incident report. The form is simple to fill out. All the fields are marked so workers won’t have any problems entering the necessary information.

If you’re unsure of OSHA recordkeeping procedures , experienced safety compliance consultants can help set up a repeatable process at your company.

Identify and Resolve the Cause

Part of securing the incident scene is to identify the hazard. Once you know what caused the near miss, the next step is to eliminate it. Resolving the cause of the event is the best way to improve safety at work.

For professional help at this step, feel free to reach out to an experienced safety and risk management consultant .

How to Get Employees to Report Near Misses

Employees aren’t always eager to report near misses but there are ways companies can encourage them.

• Simplify the reporting procedure so it’s quick and easy to understand.
• Make the reports anonymous so employees don’t have to worry about recriminations from co-workers or management.
• Keep employees involved by encouraging communication between staff and management with bulletin boards, safety programs, and memos.

If none of these steps are helpful, consider implementing a safety incentive program to help motivate employees.

Let Safety By Design Help You Reduce Potential Workplace Hazards

Whether you have questions about your current safety protocols or need assistance reducing potential workplace hazards, the experienced team at Safety By Design is ready to help. We offer OSHA-aligned safety training in Houston and retainer-based safety management services . Even if you’re not based in the Houston area, you can get OSHA training online that can be tailored to your needs!

Contact our experts today and schedule a consultation!

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How To Simplify Near Miss Reporting + Top Near Miss Examples In The Workplace

If you’re in the manufacturing, energy, chemical, or oil and gas industry, near-miss reports might be a common occurrence. While The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) doesn’t require a near-miss system, implementing one can help keep your workplace and your employees safe from harm.

We know that tedious paperwork can be a pain — It’s time-consuming, disorganized, and costly. So, if you’re looking for a way to streamline your near-miss reporting process, this post is for you.

We’ll share why it’s so important to report near-miss events, look at the top examples of near-miss in the workplace, and detail how going digital can help simplify your reporting process.

Table of Contents

Ready to digitize your reports? Try doForms for free!

What Is A Near Miss?

A near miss, also known as a near hit or a close call, is an unexpected incident that almost results in injury or damage.

In other words, had there been a slight change in the event, such as location or time, it may have resulted in either injury or damage — or both. Some of the most common causes of a near miss include human error or behavior, and faulty equipment.

What Is A Near Miss Report?

A near-miss report is a document that discloses an unexpected event that almost damaged your property or injured your employees while on the job.

Typically, a near-miss report includes the following details:

• Near hit description
• Potential outcome description
• Safety suggestions
• Photos and videos (optional)

A near-hit report can be documented on paper, where the details are written out, submitted to a safety manager, and physically stored.

At doForms, our mobile forms solutions offer a simplified, digital reporting process. With authorized access to reports from anywhere at any time, you can report real-time close calls, and send and store reports with no paperwork needed.

Near-miss reports allow your employees to document near-hit incidents that occur in the workplace

Why Should You Report A Near Miss?

According to a report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were over 1 million non-fatal injuries and illnesses in the workplace that caused a private industry employee to miss at least one day of work in 2020.

Reporting near-hit incidents allows you to proactively fix faulty equipment and identify negative workplace behavior and processes to protect your employees and reduce the risk of potential accidents.

Whether it’s a leaky air conditioner, faulty equipment, or disorderly employee behavior, a near-hit report identifies risks in your workplace so you can determine the solutions needed to fix them.

In addition to accident prevention , employee satisfaction also increases when your employees know that their safety is prioritized.

Ready to create your digital near-miss report? Try doForms for free!

Top Near-Miss Examples In The Workplace

From slips and trips to horseplay and risky behavior, here are the top close-call examples employees face today.

1. Slips Or Trips

Often caused by stepping on oily or wet surfaces, a slip occurs when an employee loses balance and slides for a short distance.

On the other hand, a trip occurs when an employee’s foot hits an obstacle (for example, an unmarked step), causing them to lose balance and fall.

Examples include slipping due to leaking water from an air conditioner or tripping over debris on the floor.

To prevent slips and trips, clean floor spills, mark wet floors with proper signage, and keep walkways free from clutter.

A fall occurs when your employee loses balance from an elevated location, such as a ladder, and falls to the ground.

A 2021 survey ranked falls as the second most disabling workplace injury in the United States.

Examples of a fall include falling from a ladder or losing balance while retrieving items from a high shelf.

To prevent falls, install illuminated steps and spotlights in dim areas and replace unstable ladders with new ones.

3. Risky Behavior

Risky behavior occurs when an employee intentionally or accidentally neglects safety measures and personal protective equipment (PPE) in your workplace.

Examples include retrieving an item on a steep roof without a harness or operating a forklift while on medication.

To prevent risky behavior close calls, require workplace safety measures and the use of PPE.

4. Horseplay

Horseplay includes foolish equipment operation, rowdy playing, and pressuring others to participate in similar acts.

Examples include throwing tools at another co-worker or playing pranks such as switching off the lights.

To prevent close calls related to horseplay, implement workplace guidelines for professional employee conduct.

5. Narrow Escapes

A narrow escape occurs when an employee barely avoids an unfortunate accident.

Examples of narrow escapes include clothing getting caught in between a conveyor belt or escaping falling debris in just a few seconds.

To prevent narrow escapes, require mandatory heavy equipment courses and ensure your employees avoid wearing loose clothing that can get jammed between machines.

6. Lack Of Signage

Close calls related to lack of signage occur when employees are required to work near hazardous materials or areas that do not have proper signage in place.

Examples include entering an unmarked under-construction area without using PPE or handling unlabeled containers of hazardous chemicals. This is where construction site preparation is very important.

To prevent close calls caused by hazardous materials and lack of signage, label harmful chemical containers and ensure all signage is visible and clear.

7. Equipment

Close calls related to equipment occur when employees lack training or awareness when operating different types of equipment such as forklifts, tractors, or tower cranes.

Similar to falls, operating equipment in the workplace is also a top cause that results in employee injuries. The National Safety Council reported that equipment found in the workplace was the third leading cause of employee injuries in 2019.

Examples of equipment near misses include removing debris from a forklift without ensuring disconnection from the power source or equipment usage despite experiencing a malfunction.

To prevent equipment close calls, require your employees to attend equipment training and maintenance classes.

8. Working At Heights

Working at height close calls occur when an employee works from an elevated location, such as a roof or scaffolding, and falls to the ground.

Examples include leaning on an unstable skylight panel and losing balance.

To prevent working at height close calls, require your employees to wear PPE such as a helmet, body harness, and other protective equipment to prevent injury.

Working at height close calls occur when an employee works from an elevated and falls​

Simplify Your Near Miss Reports Using doForms

While not required by OSHA law, near-hit reports are an essential part of maintaining a safe workplace, because they allow you to identify potentially dangerous situations and find a solution, before serious damage or an injury occurs.

Paperwork can be time-consuming, costly, and disorganized, which is why we developed doForms — a mobile forms solution designed to remedy each and every issue that paper forms pose.

doForms allows you to gather real-time data, create custom mobile forms, and streamline workflow management throughout your organization.

When a near miss occurs, simply type the details onto your mobile form using your phone, tablet, or other device, regardless of where you are. Our convenient mobile app allows you to work from anywhere and access data on the go, store it on the cloud, and edit and save it whenever a close call occurs.

With our secure mobile forms, you can deliver reports to safety managers as soon as an incident occurs, using any device, from anywhere, at any time, and communicate proactively to find a solution.

From desktops and laptops to smartphones and tablets, digitizing your near-miss report process has never been faster, easier, and more cost-effective.

With doForms, you can:

• Create tasks, log hazards, and send daily reports
• Save money by going digital with all your construction reporting
• Create your report from scratch or choose a custom template from our comprehensive library
• Conveniently edit, send, and store your mobile forms in a secure location for easy access
• Access your reports using our mobile app , no matter your device or location

Ditch traditional paper forms. Try doForms for free!

Wrapping Up On Near Miss Events & Reporting

Near-miss reports allow you to identify hazardous issues in your workplace that could lead to damage or injury.

Once you’re aware of risky behavior or outdated equipment that poses a threat to your employees, you can perform the necessary actions to prevent accidents and ensure your employees are safe.

Traditional paperwork reports can be tedious, costly, and slow for an issue that requires immediate attention.

With doForms, paper-based reports are a thing of the past.

doForms enables you to streamline your reporting process so you can create, personalize, edit, send, and save your near-miss reports at any time, from anywhere.

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The Most Common Near Miss Reporting Examples

Posted by Miranda Cheatham

In almost every industry, it is customary to file a report when an accident or injury happens in the workplace. This is done so that companies have the chance to put preventative measures in place to decrease the chances of a recurring accident. Most companies have a very detailed procedure for accident reports and are intentional about documenting injuries and incidents in the workplace.

But what about almost -accidents? What about the times when a scenario or situation could have led to bodily harm—but didn’t? These are referred to as “near misses” and are just as important to document as actual accidents. Here are some of the most common near miss examples along with some tips on how reporting them can contribute to a safer work environment.

Device Magic makes it easy to create custom incident reports that can be completed from anywhere. Learn More

Slipping or Tripping

Slipping, tripping, and falling are some of the most common workplace accidents. Understanding the areas in your workplace that are most prone to trip and fall accidents will help you keep these spaces safe.

Some near miss examples when it comes to slipping and tripping at work include:

• Poor lighting resulting in an employee tripping, and almost falling over an undetected extension cord
• A leaky air conditioner drips onto a walkway resulting in an employee slipping and nearly falling
• A missing or worn step marker resulting in an employee tripping over a step

Near Injury

We all like to have a little fun at work, but sometimes when employees let their guard down or are playing around, it can lead to accidents and injuries. Other times, employees sacrifice policy and safety in an effort to do something a little faster. In both cases, employees open themselves up to increased risk for accidents. It is essential to document these near-misses, so employees understand how important it is to always use precautions in the workplace.

Here are some common near injury examples:

• In the absence of a ladder, an employee uses a stool as a substitute and looses balance, nearly falling
• An employee is operating a forklift and unstable shelving results in inventory crashing down around them

Device Magic’s innovative photo feature allows you to incorporate pictures into your near miss reports so you can more accurately identify workplace hazards. Learn more

Any workplace has the potential for accidents and injuries, but employees that work with heights have to be even more aware of workplace risks. Falling from elevated heights can lead to severe injuries and even death. Every incident, even when nobody is hurt, should be reported to help prevent future falls from occurring.

Some examples of near misses for employees working with heights include:

• Faulty scaffolding makes it dangerous for workers to walk across a roof
• A worker stumbles over misplaced roofing tools and is not wearing any safety equipment

In these examples, nobody is hurt or falls from their elevated workplace, but the potential is there. Documenting these near misses can help workers be more aware of their surroundings and can help to prevent catastrophic accidents in the future.

Hazardous Materials

If your workplace requires employees to handle or work close to hazardous materials, accidents and potential accidents must be appropriately documented.

Some examples of near misses for employees managing hazardous materials include:

• Smoking areas are not clearly designated, so a worker attempts to light a cigarette close to flammable chemicals

Education and proper signage can help to reduce accidents related to hazardous materials.

Operating Equipment

Workers responsible for operating heavy machinery should always be aware of the risks associated with driving, cleaning, assembling, and disassembling this type of equipment. Failure to use precaution and analyze risks when operating heavy equipment could lead to serious injury and death.

Some near miss examples for employees handling heavy machinery in the workplace include:

• A worker slips and falls while trying to climb into the cab of a bulldozer
• A worker is able to jump out of the way before being pinned between two large onsite vehicles

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are over a 150,000 cases of injuries on construction sites each year. While many of these are associated with falls, improper use machinery or accidents caused by heavy machinery make up a significant percentage. And that is just on construction sites!

Provide Near Miss Training

Accidents happen. Even in workspaces that are intentional about safety and risk prevention, workers can get hurt. As an employer, it is your responsibility to do everything you can to ensure that your employees are safe on the job. Beyond documenting accidents when they happen, it’s important to also be diligent about reporting near misses. By documenting potential hazards, you bring awareness to high-risk situations and can put procedures in place that can reduce the number of workplace accidents.

One way you can help reduce accidents is by offering training and education about workplace safety. Educate your employees on the importance of accident documentation, and show them how to document a near miss as well. When everyone is on the same page regarding safety and incident reporting, you can create a safer workplace.

How to Document a Near Miss

Proper documentation of near miss incidents is required to ensure that everybody in the work environment is aware of the risks and controls put in place to avoid accidents.

Device Magic Mobile Forms allow you to easily create a near-miss accident report that is customized to your unique needs. With a simple drag-and-drop interface, you can create a comprehensive report that is easy to use, review, submit, and save. The custom form builder allows you to create a form that incorporates photos, free text, questions and answers, and even a place for an employee signature. These forms can then be accessed from anywhere, even offline.

When your team uses Device Magic’s custom form builder, you can collect data wherever you are, even without an internet connection. Offline access changes the way your organization communicates. Learn more

Try Device Magic for Free

Implementing a near miss reporting policy in your workplace can drastically reduce the number of accidents you have each year. Start by building a custom form that helps you document, analyze, and report these incidents to prevent future accidents. Take the first step toward a safer workplace—try Device Magic for free!

9th November, 2021

5 Examples Of How Near Miss Reporting Can Stop Accidents

Near-miss reporting might not be a legal requirement, but reporting the accidents and incidents that follow will be. So it makes sense to get near-miss reporting in place because near-miss reporting can help prevent future accidents before they happen. Here are 5 examples.

A near-miss is an undesired event that, under slightly different circumstances, could have resulted in harm to people or damage to property, materials or the environment.

– near miss: an event that, while not causing harm, has the potential to cause injury or ill health. HSE Investigating accidents and incidents pg.4

If a near-miss happens, it could happen again. And just because no one was hurt this time, doesn't mean you will be so lucky next time.

Reporting of near misses is not usually a legal requirement (except for dangerous occurrences under RIDDOR). However, it is good for safety management to report them internally. But if a near miss isn't an accident, and no one was harmed, what good is reporting it?

Well, unfortunately, where near misses occur accidents are sure to follow. Research has shown that for every 90 near misses an accident will occur . And while the exact numbers may vary, near-misses are a warning sign that something is going wrong.

Reporting of near misses can reduce accidents and improve safety. You find out what went wrong, fix problems, and learn lessons.

All too often it takes an accident to identify a health and safety problem in the workplace. While the problem may then get addressed, someone has been injured. Accidents can also have financial implications and reflect badly on your organisation, through increased accident rates.

The ultimate goal of near-miss reporting is to address the incident and take action to prevent reoccurrence. You can stop accidents before they happen!

Example 1 - The Hammer Drop

A workman drops a hammer off a scaffold, which falls 20m to the ground, landing only a few feet away from another operative. It's a near miss incident. No accident occurred, no injury. The hammer got returned to the worker, and everyone could continue their work.

Following a near-miss report, the scaffold was inspected and found to be missing toeboards where the hammer slipped through. This was immediately rectified, preventing other materials from falling and causing accidents in the future.

Without a near miss reporting system, no manager may ever be aware the hammer drop occurred unless they witnessed it. And next time something falls from the open edge, someone at ground level might be hit or even killed.

A near miss report allows management to review the situation and take action. The hammer may have been accidentally kicked by the workman as he turned around to pick it up, the hammer went through a gap in the toeboard or a missing scaffold board and fell off the edge.

Management can review the information, look at the circumstances, and take action to prevent reoccurrence. In this case, action would include ensuring all edge protection and scaffold boards are in place, with no large gaps.

The near-miss report may also highlight that scaffolds are being signed off incorrectly, or that they are not being checked at the required intervals. Additional training and inspections can be scheduled.

Example 2 - The Cable Trip

An employee trips over an extension cable that is running across the middle of an office area. She manages to regain her footing and continues walking. No one else notices.

Following a near-miss report, a workplace assessment shows that several trailing cables are routed across walkways. Some are not even in use, and others could be plugged in closer to where they are needed and routed away from traffic routes. These quick changes greatly minimise the risk of trips causing injury in the future.

Near misses can seem insignificant, like the trip above. But, under different circumstances, the employee could have fallen against the corner of a desk, hitting her head. Or she might have tripped down some stairs, breaking a bone.

By taking action right away, you prevent a more serious version of the event from reoccurring.

Example 3 - The Reversing Vehicle

A site operative is returning from lunch when he sees a delivery vehicle reversing off the site. A woman with a pushchair is on the pavement. He shouts out and waves at the driver to get his attention. The driver stops, the woman continues walking, and the operative then waves the driver to continue.

Another near miss. Another lucky escape. What if next time a vehicle reverses off the site, there is no operative returning from lunch? What if the person on the pavement is distracted, has headphones on, or is talking on the phone?

Luckily, the operative reports the near-miss to the site manager, who implements a one-way system to prevent reversing off the site. He enforces this new rule with signage and barriers. And going forward, all delivery vehicles get escorted on and off the site with the assistance of a banksman.

It's easy to see how this example could have resulted in a serious accident. But simple changes once a problem is identified can help make your work safer for everyone.

Example 4 - The Puddle

A supervisor steps in a puddle on a walk around in the warehouse. She asks the warehouse manager to clean it up. He does, and the walk around continues.

Is this even a near miss? It might not seem like a near miss, but in other circumstances, someone could have slipped and injured themselves.

Following a near-miss report, it's found that a small leak in the rooflight above is causing the puddle after heavy rain. The roof is fixed, preventing the issue from getting worse, and removing the slip hazard once and for all.

Example 5 - The Swivel Chair

A worker stands on a chair to reach some items on a shelf that are out of reach. The chair swivels and the worker jumps down. The worker steps back up on the chair to retrieve the items.

The worker doesn't think there's anything wrong. He always stands on a chair to reach the shelf. And he never gets hurt. He doesn't have a crystal ball to see that if he does it again next week, when the chair swivels, he will lose his balance and fall, breaking his back.

But a colleague reports the near miss.

The investigation following the report identifies that the items stored on the shelf are in regular use, and chairs and other makeshift items are often stood on to reach them. Storage is rearranged to bring regularly used items within reach of floor level to reduce work at height, and safer access equipment is provided for those items out of reach.

These are 5 simple examples of how near miss reports can provide clues to a more serious issue. The valuable information reported can be acted upon to prevent more serious accidents from occurring as a result of bad practices.

Taking action following near-misses will not only protect the safety of your workforce but also improve your monitoring procedures and help your organisation comply with its legal duties.

A near miss reporting programme, when implemented well, is a very effective proactive safety programme to reduce accidents and improve health and safety on site. By identifying and addressing the hazard reported, you can take action before an accident occurs.

And often, the action needed is simple and easy to do- like changing a work procedure, providing training or moving an item of equipment.

Start collecting near-miss information with the free near miss report form , and prevent future accidents before they happen.

This article was written by Emma at HASpod . Emma has over 10 years experience in health and safety and BSc (Hons) Construction Management. She is NEBOSH qualified and Tech IOSH.

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Dashpivot article page – Near Miss Reporting example

Near Miss Reporting example

What is a near miss report.

A "near miss report" is a documented record of an incident that, while not resulting in any personal injury or property damage, had the potential to do so.

Essentially, it's a close call that could have been worse under slightly different circumstances.

The primary purpose of documenting these near misses is to identify risks, analyze them, and then take corrective action to prevent actual accidents in the future.

What sections do you need in a Near Miss Report?

When creating a near miss report, it's essential to ensure that the form captures all relevant information that can help in understanding the incident and identifying measures to prevent recurrence. The specific sections required can vary based on industry norms, regulatory requirements, and the company's internal protocols, but here are common sections that are typically included:

• Report Number: A unique identifier for tracking and referencing.
• Date and Time of Report: When the near miss was reported.
• Reported By: Name and position of the individual reporting the near miss.
• Date and Time of Incident: When the near miss occurred.
• Location of Incident: Specific location or department where the incident took place.
• Description of Incident: A detailed account of the near miss, including what happened, the sequence of events leading up to it, and potential factors that contributed.
• List of individuals involved or who witnessed the near miss, along with their contact details and roles or actions during the incident.
• Description of the worst-case scenario or what could have happened if circumstances had been slightly different.
• Root causes or conditions contributing to the near miss. This could be equipment malfunctions, human error, environmental conditions, procedural gaps, etc.
• Any steps taken immediately after the near miss to ensure safety or mitigate further risks.
• Suggested measures to prevent a similar incident in the future. This could be procedural changes, additional training, equipment modifications, etc.
• Photographs, diagrams, witness statements, or other pertinent information that provides more clarity about the incident.
• Documentation of what actions have been taken or are planned as a result of the near miss report. This can include changes in procedures, training sessions conducted, or equipment changes.
• Who is responsible for implementing the actions and by when.
• Comments/Feedback:
• Space for reviewers or managers to provide feedback, insights, or additional recommendations based on the report.
• Approval/Review:
• Signatures or acknowledgments from relevant personnel, such as safety officers, managers, or department heads, indicating that they've reviewed the report and are aware of its contents.
• Confidentiality/Privacy Section:
• Some near miss reports might have a section ensuring the confidentiality of the reporter or involved parties, especially in systems where anonymity is encouraged to foster honest reporting.

Remember that the near miss report's primary goal is to gather as much relevant information as possible to understand the incident fully and take steps to ensure that similar incidents are prevented in the future.

See what a Near Miss Reporting example looks like in action below.

Examples of different near miss reports

• A worker almost slipped off scaffolding due to a slippery surface caused by morning dew.
• While working on a roof, an employee stepped on a weak section, causing it to crack but not break through.
• A tool was accidentally dropped from height, narrowly missing workers below.
• Materials were being hoisted and the load unexpectedly shifted, nearly dropping the cargo.
• A crane swung its load, nearly hitting workers who were inside its swing radius.
• A power tool was found operating unattended when a worker accidentally locked it in the "on" position and walked away.
• While drilling into a wall, a worker narrowly missed striking a live electrical wire.
• A portable generator was set up too close to a wet area, posing a potential electrocution risk.
• A trench wall showed signs of imminent collapse when workers were nearby.
• Workers were observed in a trench without the necessary protective systems in place.
• A construction vehicle reversed without using a spotter, almost hitting another worker.
• Two construction vehicles nearly collided at a site intersection due to a lack of clear traffic signage.
• A gas leak was detected in a confined space just before workers were about to enter.
• Workers were mixing chemicals without appropriate PPE, risking potential harmful exposure.
• Temporary shoring showed signs of weakness, risking collapse.
• A newly constructed platform showed unexpected flexing when loaded with materials.
• A propane torch was left ignited and unattended momentarily, near flammable materials.
• Electrical cords were found frayed and used in a cluttered area with sawdust, posing a fire risk.
• Barriers and Signage:
• An open pit was left unmarked during a lunch break, posing a fall hazard.
• Barricades around a hazardous area were found to be inadequately placed, allowing potential access.

Below is an example for Near Miss Reporting that you can follow to create your own Near Miss Report.

Use this Near Miss Report example as a digital Near Miss Reporting template

Digitise your near miss reporting.

Instead of using the near miss reporting example to create your reports, use this near miss reporting template so all of your near miss reports are standardised.

All the fields and sections you need are pre-built from the near miss example so your team can quickly and easily record near misses on site with all the information you need.

Attach photos or videos of potential hazards directly to your near miss reports with automatic geotagging, timestamps and photo markup.

Capture reporter signatures as well as safety officer signatures to ensure your near miss report stays compliant.

Build Near Miss Reporting processes to improve safety outcomes

Ensure near miss reporting is carried out properly with all the information you need by using this digital near miss reporting app .

Your team can access your custom near miss report on mobile or tablet, so when a near miss occurs on site, they can access and record a near miss report while on site where all the information is at their fingertips.

Capture signatures via manual eSignatures on mobile or tablet, or use fully contactless signoff.

Share completed near miss reports as professionally formatted CSV or PDF with all the information, photos and signatures.

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1 st Reporting

9 Common Workplace Near Misses And How To Avoid Them

Posted 20.11.22 by: Jeremy Shantz

Workplace near misses is essential to track. Improving safety in your workplace is a primary goal of any health and safety department. If your company has experienced the operational and financial burden of lost time accidents, you know that you’d like to avoid them financially. Aside from this financial burden is, of course, the trauma that the injured individual must endure, which is our primary concern here.

So, how do we mitigate these injuries, incidents, and accidents? By documenting both incidents, such as injuries and near misses, and understanding the correlations between the two.

Understanding the relative nature of near-miss incidents and accidents can help us manage our businesses better. It allows us to prepare better and adjust our facilities and processes to eliminate the hazards that are creating the incidents in the first place.

Table of Contents

Understanding Common Workplace Near Misses And Workplace Injuries

Let’s take a look at the correlation between near-miss incidents and workplace injuries. There will be variations based on what industry you work in, but generally, the information should reveal some interesting results.

Top Workplace Incidents Resulting In Injury

According to the National Safety Council , the three most common injuries in the workplace are:

• Overexertion and bodily reaction
• Slips, trips, and falls
• Contact with objects and equipment

The issue with each of these and prevention are as follows:

• Overexertion and bodily reaction are work injuries that are difficult to prevent but not difficult to predict. Unfortunately, near-miss incidents do not typically include almost pulls or almost strains. The nature of these sorts of injuries is that they often do not get noticed or reported until an injury occurs.
• Slips, trips, and falls are usually preventable. Sure, there’s always going to be that one time that someone tripped on a shoelace or other unavoidable unknowns. Still, for the most part, these injury incidents are avoidable and preventable. However, again we find a situation where many or most near misses involving slips, trips, and falls go unreported. 
• Contact with objects and equipment is a form of workplace injury where the near-miss incident tends to cross over. The near-miss situations involving vehicles, equipment, and objects are often substantially more severe than a slip or trip, despite the potential severity of a fall where one hits one’s head. Given the higher rate of perceived danger involving equipment, vehicles, and objects, near misses involving these workplace items tend to be recorded more often.

Next, look at the top near-miss incidents reported and find further insights.

Top Workplace Near Miss Incidents

You would probably be shocked to see how many near-miss incidents go unrecorded. Take the image above; we’ve all done it at some point or witnessed someone standing on a chair with wheels. Classic office incident maneuver, but it’s an accident waiting to happen and a near miss. However, how many times do you think companies file a close call (near-miss) report? Even if it is only internally? Likely they often don’t, but it depends on the company policies.

The top near-miss incidents are difficult to determine due to reporting practices and the likelihood that people will instinctively feel embarrassed to admit they had a close call – which hampers us from getting a reliable number about which near misses occur the most.

Typically in most industries, there are a set number of near-miss situations that occur in the office (like our chair climbing friend above), out in the field, in the plant, or whatever other facility your industry works with.

Each industry will have its unique set of near-miss and close-call situations that must be dealt with on a case-by-case and industry-by-industry basis.

Here are some very common workplace near-miss scenarios, their respective industry, and some significant preventive measures to avoid them. We’ll see with each that many do correspond to the top three workplace injuries. Since most workplace accidents are avoidable, let’s run through these scenarios to see if the right solutions are in place at your workplace.

• Slips And Trips – Office, Warehouse, Facility – All Industries.

This near-miss scenario is likely the most common and one of the least commonly reported. Take the example of the office worker climbing onto a wheeled desk chair to reach something. It’s a common and unsafe practice best avoided but happens more than we would all care to admit. And most of the time, we turn a blind eye unless someone falls.

Most businesses have strict policies about climbing on office furniture and using it beyond its intended use. However, there’s always one in the group. Our solution: Ensure you have robust health and safety policy and stress the importance of at-work safety and safe practices. You may even require having to go as far as instituting a policy that includes disciplinary action for staff who willfully disregard the company’s safety practices. 

Having a regular facility inspection or a floor inspection to minimize things like tripping hazards are other intelligent ways of mitigating this type of hazard.

• Moving Vehicle Near Miss – All Industries Utilizing Moving Equipment Or Vehicles.

A commonly reported near-miss scenario is the altercation between a pedestrian and a moving piece of equipment or vehicle. This scenario might include a pedestrian and a forklift, a truck, or even a robot. A near-miss incident report should be completed and submitted when a person is almost struck by moving equipment or machinery.

How do we avoid these sorts of near-miss incidents? After all, they can lead to severe or even fatal consequences, so mitigation of the thread is imperative.

Many businesses develop innovative flooring plans and layouts that inhibit and remove as many intersections between vehicles/equipment and pedestrians as possible. Many facilities will utilize physical barriers to maintain safety between pedestrians and moving vehicles or equipment. The utilization of barriers is often essential and even a legal requirement in many industries, job sites, and facilities.

Our solution: do an intelligent layout plan of your facility and include physical barriers and even traffic signals to keep pedestrians safe. Create a robust training program to warn all drivers of pedestrians and warn all pedestrians of moving equipment. Many facilities institute policies including no smartphones or cell phone use while traveling to eliminate the risk of pedestrians carelessly wandering into traffic and attention on their devices.

• Horseplay And Dangerous Behavior – All Industries

Horseplay happens whenever you get a staff member a little too comfortable in their job. Sometimes people make foolish choices. To prevent this, a robust health and safety policy with disciplinary measures for those who disobey is the go-to solution for most businesses. However, what about dangerous behavior?

Sometimes the behavior of employees risks the health and safety of others or themselves. It is especially true when the situation arises where you are reasonably suspicious a team member may be intoxicated at work or any other number of possible scenarios. When this occurs, we think of it as dangerous behavior. The tricky thing about dangerous behavior is that it sometimes happens without a person’s intention. 

We can often prevent the dangerous behaviors of staff through the use of proper training. The previous example is training to impede actions like jumping off a dock plate or climbing on an office chair. Ensuring you are using an excellent near-miss incident report and that your staff is well trained in its use will help you identify and mitigate dangerous behavior-based occurrences.

• Falls From Heights – Construction And Other Industries

A fall can happen from only a small distance off the ground. Let’s use our office chair climber example again; a fall could occur from as little as a foot or two off the ground. However, the incidents could easily prove deadly for industries like construction, roofing, overhead door installation, and others that work many hours at height.

Preventing workplace falls is essential to your workers’ safety, as you know. And the best way to do this is with a robust training program and an efficient incident reporting system. Using a digital reporting system like that offered by 1st Incident Reporting is our obvious first choice to aid your company in reporting near misses and other work audits and reports.

• Narrow Escapes – Construction, Manufacturing, Utilities, Service Industries

One of the most frightening accidents is when a person is pinned or even crushed by equipment. A typical scenario is any industry or business that has the use of large vehicles. The steel industry and construction come to mind, but everything from train yards to logistics with the extensive haul truckers backing in and out of loading bays has the potential for a narrow escape.

The best way to prevent narrow escape near-miss scenarios is, again, with proper training. However, this time we include proper procedures as well.

For example, utilizing a vehicle backing procedure that encompasses the best safety practices is one way that a business can help prevent those narrow escapes involving vehicles and people.

If you’re having issues getting your staff to comply with the particulars of a backing or other procedure, try digitizing the process with a procedural checklist. Using a procedural checklist in your operations is one way to add value and ongoing training to your staff’s daily activities. It also ensures that staff is compliant with all process steps. Add using this sort of procedure with a digital reporting system like 1 st Reporting . You can even get notified when your staff has completed the procedural checklist via the platform’s convenient custom notifications.

• Equipment Operation Near Misses – All Industries Operating Equipment

Near misses happen a lot more often than equipment operators will admit. Ask the forklift operator in confidence how many times they have almost hit something, and it wouldn’t be surprising to find out it happens nearly every shift. Companies that press their equipment operators for results or reward operators for expediting loading quickly, find their equipment accidents are more severe than those practicing a safety-first oriented, production-second mentality.

The solution is always to maintain a safety-first, results-second culture. Many companies face a big issue: convincing their employees to report near misses that the team member may have technically been in the wrong. It’s like asking someone to turn themselves in. Most people will avoid admitting fault; it’s merely human nature.

However, when you maintain a culture of safety first and use an efficient reporting system like 1 st Reporting , where staff can complete an incident form like a near-miss incident from the privacy of their smartphone or other Android, iOS, or even laptop or desktop computer or device. When staff does not have to face a manager’s wrath over a near-miss incident, they will feel more inclined to report these potential incidents.

• Hazard Communication Failure – Most Industries, Including Construction, Manufacturing, Service

A typical scenario that generates a near-miss incident is the failure of hazard communication. This scenario might include a lack of signage, a mislabeled object like an electrical panel, or even a lockout using the incorrect lock and tag. In the service industries, it could mean a forgotten work overhead sign or a misplaced pylon. It might be a lack of a warning placard about heavy machinery or cranes in use in construction.

When communication of hazards fails, all sorts of incidents could occur. Even something as simple as a mislabelled cleaning agent in a staff washroom could wreak havoc if used for the wrong purpose.

Many businesses that utilize long-term staff are in danger of their staff becoming accustomed to the hazards in the workplace, and they might forget to acknowledge the use of placards and signage to warn their fellow employees. Given a new staff member’s potential ignorance, it’s easy to understand how an accident might occur at a job site when hazard communication fails.

The remedy for hazard communication failure is, perhaps, a procedural checklist, so staff must acknowledge safety steps in the procedures they might be taking for granted. Again, using a digital platform like the 1 st Reporting Solutions to customize procedural checklists to your specific needs is a wise idea that could save your company a lot of grief and aggravation.

• Equipment Maintenance – Any Industry Using Equipment

We spoke of equipment operation and vehicles, but maintenance failures still cause near-miss scenarios.

Equipment failures that happen without notice and could have been prevented by a proper maintenance program are where near-miss incidents could prove fatal.

Take the example of air transport. If a maintenance program on a plane engine or flight control component is improperly completed and a worn part is not noticed, the results could be catastrophic.

A scenario like this happened on August 21, 1995, when eight people were killed when a plane crashed. The plane, flying out of Atlanta, had a propellor blade break off 20 minutes into the flight, causing the crash. Maintenance had not adequately inspected the blade for damage. A most horrific equipment maintenance failure resulted in the loss of 8 and over 20 others injured. ( Source: FAA )

To avoid these scenarios, whether a plane, a forklift, or any other commonly used equipment, having a daily vehicle inspection completed is the intelligent and safe practice your company should never avoid.

• Falling Objects – Service Industries, Construction, Maintenance Departments

A primary and often overlooked source of serious near-miss incidents is the issue of falling objects. Any industry that lifts things has a potential near-miss situation close at hand. Often, the scenarios where incidents occur with falling objects are those where workers’ temporary situations at heights occur. These include construction sites, service technicians, maintenance departments, and of course, the shipping and storage equipment operations like those utilizing cherry pickers and other lift equipment for storing products on racking at heights.

Often, objects that are stored improperly or secure loads that are improperly secured or hoisted are commonly to blame. 

Again, the solution to these scenarios is a robust training policy coupled with an intelligent reporting platform that makes it easy for staff to embrace a safety-oriented workplace culture.

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A simple, 5 minute outline of what to cover in a toolbox talk on Slips, Trips, and Falls.

Download a Slips, Trips, and Falls toolbox talk pdf

Slips, trips and falls are a common reason for many of the injuries in workplaces. They can cause minor injuries but can also lead to serious, long-term injuries. Many slip, trips and falls are avoidable and there are usually easy solutions a workplace can apply to control the risk, either by eliminating or minimising it. It could be as simple as cleaning up a spillage straight away, or moving a cord off a walkway which can prevent injuries from occurring.

Why run a Slips, Trips, and Falls Toolbox Talk?

• Prevent unnecessary injury from slip, trips and falls by improving awareness and training
• Fewer injuries means higher productivity
• Makes sure workers know what to look for and what to do about it to reduce the risk of an injury occurring

What to watch out for that are common causes of slip, trips and falls? 

• Poor housekeeping & messy sites 
• Poor lighting 
• Uneven walking surfaces 
• Clutter on site 
• Uncovered cords and cables 
• Weather conditions (e.g. rain, ice, dust) 
• Obstructed views 
• Unsuitable footwear 
• Distractions (e.g. cell phone, other workers) 

What can you do to help prevent slips, trips and falls occurring? 

• Keeping work areas clear & tidy from clutter, obstructions and rubbish 
• Any waste placed in designated bins 
• Clean up any leaks or spills immediately 
• Put tools and equipment away
• Wear suitable footwear (e.g. grippy, anti-slip) 
• Ensure work areas are well lit and sufficient light for work
• Keep cords and cables out of walkways, covered or secured 
• Be aware of your surroundings and focus on what you are doing 
• Work to the weather conditions 

What if a slip, trip or fall occurs or nearly occurs? 

• Report all slip, trip and fall accidents and near misses, with or without injury, this will help identify the hazards and implement control measures to prevent reoccurrence

Key takeaways 

• Simply cleaning up your work area as you go, can help reduce slip, trips and falls 
• Make sure you are always aware of your surroundings and look where you are walking  

If you see a hazard that has the potential to cause a slip, trip or fall then pick it up or fix it – don’t wait for someone else to do it. Do it yourself!

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Near Miss Reporting Management

• Post author By FATFINGER
• Post date December 26, 2022

Be confident you’re taking proactive steps toward preventing future accidents.

Trusted by companies all over the world

Before FAT FINGER

High unforeseen incidents

Poor safety inspection tools can lead to missed opportunities for detecting incidents, resulting in potentially hazardous conditions going unnoticed and uncorrected.

Reactive decision making

Team may be too busy dealing with the present situation to think about what can be done in the future to avoid a similar event.

Unreliable insights

Without near miss reporting and data analysis, it’s difficult for an organization to identify patterns that indicate long-term risks or systemic issues within their safety.

Safeguard your team against unpredictable events

Prevent and better manage incidence through tracking and reporting incidents. FAT FINGER allows you to customize existing workflows or create unique ones from scratch and easily export them across multiple sites. You can rest assured that each location will be up to speed with the newest standards in risk management.

“Before FAT FINGER, it was difficult to track near misses and identify potential hazards because employees were reluctant to report them. With FAT FINGER, that all changed.” Annabelle Johnson, HSE Manager

Stay ahead of potential issues through proactive monitoring

By proactively organizing and monitoring with the app, can decrease the risk of disruption or loss due to unforeseen events. With No-Code solutions, it’s never been easier for anyone from top executives to frontline workers turn challenges into profits. Keep your business stride – and make sure you’re a step ahead of everyone else!

Capture near misses on the spot with real-time insights

FAT FINGER is here to revolutionize your business operations. Get rich insights in real-time and make the risky areas of your company risk-free. FAT FINGER will give you valuable visibility into where near misses are happening.

“We clearly see the value proposition such an application would bring to our business.” Alvin Vink (Head of Health & Safety)

Transform your organization’s workplace safety in just a click

Fat finger gets you results in safety.

Achieve guaranteed compliance, data-driven decisions, and increased productivity with FAT FINGER

Fewer recorded incidents

Feel in more control of their operations

Reclaimed per procedure

Improved procedure adherence. More data means more actionable insights!

Top 4 Reasons Near Misses are Not Reported

1. complacency.

After a time, workers become used to their environment and are willing to settle for a less-than-ideal situation because they believe it’s easier than fixing the issue. To improve the reporting of near misses, it is vital to move away from complacency with paper-based checklists and towards a digital solution. 

2.ComplicateD process

If the process for reporting a near miss is complex, workers will likely hesitate to take the time out of their day to do so. A paper-based near-miss reporting system is one example.

3. Don’t want work interruptions

When workers report a near miss, it means stopping work to fill out a report, which can take several hours using a paper-based checklist.

4. Lack of feedback/recognitions

Lack of feedback is one reason why near misses are not getting reported. With a paper-based checklist, it is more challenging to provide feedback promptly. A lack of feedback can discourage people from reporting near misses

Top Near Miss Reporting Examples in the Industrial Sector

1. Near miss due to equipment malfunctions.

A machine might start up unexpectedly, or a piece of equipment may become overloaded.

2. Near miss due to human error.

An employee might fail to follow proper safety procedures or be unaware of a potential hazard. Human error can sometimes lead to more severe accidents, such as fires or chemical spills.

3. Near miss due to poor communication.

Employee might not be adequately trained on how to use a piece of equipment or might not be unaware of a potential hazard.

4. Near miss due to Slip And trip

A worker might slip on a piece of oil or water on the floor or trip over something left lying on the ground.

5. Near miss due to fall.

These accidents can occur when employees fail to properly clean up spills, or when they walk on slippery surfaces.

How to Report Near Misses ?

There are a few steps you can take to ensure that all near misses are appropriately documented.

1.Record the date, time, and location of the near miss. 2.Record the names of all employees involved in the near miss. 3.Describe the event in detail, including what happened, who was affected, and what could have gone wrong. 4.Take photographs or video footage of the near miss if possible. 5.Collect any evidence related to the near miss (e.g., safety reports, eyewitness statements, etc.). 6.Submit a report to your supervisor or safety committee as soon as possible.

It is important to remember that near misses should not be reported anonymously . All near misses should be documented appropriately and include the names of all employees involved.

We make near miss reporting easy so you can focus on what really matters.

Report near misses with fat finger.

Many employees fail to report near misses because they don’t want to get in trouble or think it’s not a big deal. As a result, near misses often go unnoticed until it’s too late.

So how can you encourage employees to report near misses? One way is to create a near-miss reporting system that is easy to use and accessible to all employees.   This is one of FAT FINGER ‘s core benefits.

With FAT FINGER , there’s no more need to fill out a near-miss forms back at the computer while on fieldwork since all forms are included in mobile-based software. Everyone can submit from the scene instantly, whether you’re inside the production room, near the oil rig construction, or just at the warehouse. 

Are you looking for a way to improve your near-miss reporting?

FAT FINGER is the perfect solution. Our near miss reporting system makes it easier and faster for employees to report accidents and identify hazards. This allows companies to track near misses more easily and improve safety in the workplace.

With FAT FINGER , you’ll have one source of information, a real-time dashboard, hassle-free reporting, and simplified compliance. Try FAT FINGER for free.

About FAT FINGER:

Ensure front-line teams do their work correctly every time. Drag & drop digital procedures that unlock operational excellence.

In seconds anyone can build and deploy enterprise-grade mobile applications using an easy drag-and-drop no-code builder.

FAT FINGER uses machine learning to coach app users in real-time to make safer and improved decisions.

Try building your digital procedure on FAT FINGER for free @ www.fatfinger.io

• Tags near miss , near miss reporting , safety

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2024 NBA playoffs bracket, schedule, scores: Knicks knock out 76ers, advance to face Pacers in second round

The nba has also released dates and times for some second-round games.

The 2024 NBA playoffs are in full swing, and the Knicks and Pacers both advanced to the second round on Thursday night. The Knicks finished off their wild series with the 76ers, winning Game 6 in Philly by three points to move on to the Eastern Conference semifinals for the second year in a row. The Pacers, meanwhile, ousted the Bucks on Thursday night, winning Game 6 at home for a 4-2 series win. The Bucks did not have Giannis Antetokounmpo for any of their brief playoff run, as their two-time MVP was sidelined with a calf injury. 

The Knicks and Pacers will square off in the second round, and just 10 teams remain in the postseason bracket. The Celtics became the first East team to punch their ticket to the second round on Wednesday night. The Celtics eliminated the Heat , blowing out Miami in Game 5 for a 4-1 series victory. The top-seeded Celtics will face either the Cavaliers or Magic in the next round. 

The Timberwolves , Nuggets and Thunder are all moving on in the West. Minnesota and Oklahoma City swept the Suns and Pelicans , respectively, while Denver took out the Lakers in five games.

Game 6 in both the Cavaliers vs. Magic and Mavericks vs. Clippers series is set for Friday night as Cleveland and Dallas have the chance to move on.

Here's a look at the upcoming schedule, as well as all the playoff scores. All games airing on ABC, ESPN and NBA TV are streaming on  fubo  (try for free).

Thursday's playoff games

• Game 6: Pacers 120, Bucks 98 -- Pacers win 4-2
• Game 6: Knicks 118, 76ers 115 -- Knicks win 4-2

Below is a look at the complete playoff bracket.

2024 NBA playoff bracket

Upcoming NBA playoffs schedule

Friday, May 3 Game 6: Magic vs. Cavaliers, 7 p.m., ESPN/ fubo Game 6: Mavericks vs. Clippers, 9:30 p.m., ESPN/ fubo

Saturday, May 4 Game 1: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, 7 p.m., TNT

Sunday, May 5 Game 7*: Cavaliers vs. Magic, TBD Game 7*: Clippers vs. Mavericks, TBD

Monday, May 6 Game 1: Knicks vs. Pacers, 7:30 p.m., TNT Game 2: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, 10 p.m., TNT

Tuesday, May 7 Game 1: Thunder vs. Clippers/Mavericks, TBD

Wednesday, May 8 Game 2: Knicks vs. Pacers, 8 p.m., TNT

Thursday, May 9 Game 2: Thunder vs. Clippers/Mavericks, TBD, ESPN/ fubo

Friday, May 10 Game 3: Pacers vs. Knicks, 7 p.m., ESPN/ fubo Game 3: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets, 9:30 p.m., ESPN/ fubo

Saturday, May 11 Game 3: Clippers/Mavericks vs. Thunder, 3:30, ABC/ fubo

Sunday, May 12 Game 4: Pacers vs. Knicks, 3:30 p.m., ABC/ fubo Game 4: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets, 8 p.m., TNT

Monday, May 13 Game 4: Clippers/Mavericks vs. Thunder, TBD, TNT

Tuesday, May 14 Game 5*: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, TBD

Thursday, May 16 Game 6*: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets, TBD

Sunday, May 19 Game 7*: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, TBD

NBA playoffs: First-round scores

Celtics vs. Heat Game 1: Celtics 114, Heat 94 Game 2: Heat 111, Celtics 101 Game 3: Celtics 104, Heat 84 Game 4: Celtics 102, Heat 88 Game 5: Celtics 118, Heat 84 (Boston wins series 4-1)

Knicks vs. 76ers Game 1: Knicks 111, 76ers 104 Game 2: Knicks 104, 76ers 101 Game 3: 76ers 125, Knicks 114 Game 4: Knicks 97, 76ers 92 Game 5: 76ers 112, Knicks 106 (OT) Game 6: Knicks 118, 76ers 115 (Knicks win series 4-2)

Bucks vs. Pacers Game 1: Bucks 109, Pacers 94 Game 2: Pacers 125, Bucks 108 Game 3: Pacers 121, Bucks 118 (OT) Game 4: Pacers 126, Bucks 113 Game 5: Bucks 115, Pacers 92 Game 6: Pacers 120, Bucks 98 (Indiana wins series 4-2)

Cavaliers vs. Magic Game 1: Cavaliers 97, Magic 83 Game 2: Cavaliers 96, Magic 86 Game 3: Magic 121, Cavaliers 83 Game 4: Magic 112, Cavaliers 89  Game 5: Cavaliers 104, Magic 103

Thunder vs. Pelicans Game 1: Thunder 94, Pelicans 92 Game 2: Thunder 124, Pelicans 92 Game 3: Thunder 106, Pelicans 85 Game 4: Thunder 97, Pelicans 89 (Oklahoma City wins series 4-0) 

Nuggets vs. Lakers Game 1: Nuggets 114, Lakers 103 Game 2: Nuggets 101, Lakers 99 Game 3: Nuggets 112, Lakers 105 Game 4: Lakers 119, Nuggets 108 Game 5: Nuggets 108, Lakers 106 (Denver wins series 4-1)

Timberwolves vs. Suns Game 1: Timberwolves 120, Suns 95 Game 2: Timberwolves 105, Suns 93 Game 3: Timberwolves 126, Suns 109 Game 4: Timberwolves 122, Suns 116 (Minnesota wins series 4-0)

Clippers vs. Mavericks Game 1: Clippers 109, Mavericks 97 Game 2: Mavericks 96, Clippers 93 Game 3: Mavericks 101, Clippers 90 Game 4: Clippers 116, Mavericks 111 Game 5: Mavericks 123, Clippers 93

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