Reporting a near miss: what is it and how do you do it well?
A near miss is the cheapest lesson an organization can get. No one is hurt, nothing is damaged, but it could have gone wrong. This guide explains exactly what a near miss is, why reporting it matters so much, and how you make sure your people actually do it.
What is a near miss?
A near miss is an unplanned event that could have led to injury, damage or environmental harm, but by chance or at the last moment did not. The Dutch term is bijna-ongeval. The difference from an unsafe situation: with a near miss, something actually happened.
Why is reporting near misses so important?
Serious accidents almost always have a history. Research into the so-called accident triangle shows that behind every serious accident there are hundreds of near misses and unsafe situations. The cause is often the same: a flawed workplace, an unclear procedure, time pressure, or a habit that has crept in.
Organizations that report and investigate near misses remove those causes before anyone gets hurt. It is prevention in the most literal sense. Read more about the accident triangle and reporting culture.
Are you required to report a near miss?
No, not to the government. The statutory reporting obligation under the Dutch Working Conditions Act (Arbowet) applies to work-related accidents with serious consequences. Still, many certifications, such as VCA and ISO 45001, require a system in which near misses and unsafe situations are also recorded and followed up. And many clients expect this from their contractors.
How to report a near miss in 5 steps
Make the situation safe first
Is there still a danger? Stop the work, cordon off the area and warn your supervisor. Reporting comes after that.
Report as soon as possible
The sooner you report, the more accurate the details. With an app or QR code you can do it on the spot in a minute.
Describe what you saw, not who
What happened, where and when? Keep it factual and focus on the situation, not on blame.
Add a photo and choose the severity
A photo makes a lot clear. The severity level shows how quickly it needs to be picked up.
Follow up and give feedback
Assign the report, investigate the cause and take a corrective action. Let the reporter know what was done with it.
Why people don't report near misses
The three biggest barriers are always the same: it takes too much time, people are afraid of the consequences for themselves or a colleague, and they never hear what happens to their report. Remove those three, and the number of reports goes up, which is a good sign.
