What is Near Miss Reporting?

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A near miss, also known as a close shave or call, is a safety incident that harbors the potential to cause harm, though it doesn’t. Near misses can result in mental or physical injuries to humans, or cause damage to property. 

At the very least, a near miss causes disruption in the normal flow of work, even though it doesn’t cause any damage or injury. However, if circumstances were to differ, the event could result in a serious injury.

Near miss reporting refers to the act of communicating what transpired to relevant safety personnel. Many companies require employees to report near misses immediately, recognizing the importance of near miss reporting in promoting a proactive safety culture.

Why is it Important to Submit a Near Miss Report?

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Near miss reporting is a cornerstone of building a strong safety culture in the workplace. It’s important for companies to outline why it is important to report a near miss to employees, especially those who may not take such events seriously. 

Many employees choose not to report near misses, simply because they don’t think it’s important. Others may avoid reporting near misses because they fear punishment, or may succumb to peer pressure.

Furthermore, if the process for near miss reporting is generally complicated, individuals may choose not to report them and go about their work. But, reporting near misses is very important for the following reasons.

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1. It Reduces Safety Incidents and Risks

Timely near miss reporting can enhance accident prevention in the workplace, especially against serious accidents. Near misses can be considered a precursor to serious incidents. 

A near miss might indicate a lapse in the company’s EHS program. Or, it’s an indicator that the company’s safety protocols aren’t as effective as they should be. 

By conducting an investigation, the company can detect new hazards or risks and account for them before they result in a serious incident.

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2. Improves Employee Safety and Morale

Another benefit of near miss reporting is that it contributes to making the workplace safer for employees. When an employee sees that the company is investigating a near miss, it shows that the employer takes worker safety seriously. 

As the workplace becomes safer, employee morale obviously rises, which in turn improves productivity and overall worker efficiency.

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3. Using it to Identify and Address Risk Assessment Gaps

Near miss reporting can help companies identify gaps in their risk assessment strategy. For instance, if multiple employees report a near miss concerning a hazard that the company hasn’t properly accounted for, the organization may review its steps.

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4. Enhancing Safety Controls

Near miss reporting can help organizations identify risks in the workplace. Once discovered, the organization can create a plan to mitigate these risks using techniques such as root cause analysis or incident investigations. 

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How to Promote Near Miss Reporting in the Workplace

There are several ways by which companies can promote and teach how to report near miss incidents and processes among employees.

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Create an Incentive Program

One of the best ways to promote near miss reporting is to create an incentive program. Let your employees know about the incentives that you’re offering when they report near misses in the workplace. 

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Remove Barriers to Reporting

Another way to improve near miss reporting and to promote a robust safety culture is by removing any barriers that employees might face when reporting. 

For instance, if you have a centralized ERP or company portal, you can create a section where employees can easily report near misses. The more accessible the system is, the better reporting you can expect.

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Encourage Employee Participation

It’s virtually impossible to promote near miss reporting without employee participation. It’s necessary for organizations to work closely with their employees and encourage them to report near misses. 

You can work by training employees and explaining the different reasons why it is important to report a near miss. Tell them about how it helps protect other employees and the role it plays in the company’s overall safety management and safety culture.

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Use AI to Improve Near Miss Reporting

Advanced AI workplace safety software can be trained to identify near misses. AI software reviews real-time footage and identifies any near misses, reporting them automatically.

The software utilizes deep learning models to better understand behavior and identify near misses, improving in accuracy over time as more and more data is fed. 

Advanced AI workplace safety software can help companies improve near miss reporting and foster a positive safety culture in the workplace. 

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Use Protex AI to Augment Near Miss Reporting in Your Organization

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Protex AI is a workplace safety solution that seamlessly integrates with your existing CCTV infrastructure. Its visual processing engine is capable of detecting near misses and reporting them. 

The software works autonomously and companies can add custom safety rules to improve safety in the workplace. Protex AI can help companies improve decision making by leveraging valuable insights about safety performance and mitigate risks in the workplace.