Close call

Accurate reporting of near misses helps us to determine the root causes of such incidents so that any lessons learned can help minimise potential risks and hazards and prevent future costly accidents.

A near miss is defined as 'an incident where personal injury, ill-health or fatality could have occurred'.

The requirement to report and investigate accidents defined as ‘a distinct unintended work-related event in which personal injury, ill-health or fatality has occurred’ is generally well understood, but when it comes to near misses we often fail to give them the same focus.

The prompt and accurate recording of all near misses and a consistent, structured approach to investigation and root cause analysis provides us with an opportunity to prevent future similar incidents by identifying and implementing effective risk-management strategies.