YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THE SERIOUS INJURY IS NEXT
One study shows that for every 330 incidents of the same type, 300 produce no injuries, 29 produce minor injuries and one produces a major injury. (See Incident Ratio Model – Heinrich’s Triangle.) The problem is we never know which time the major injury will occur. Near misses are warnings. If we heed these warnings and look for causes, we may be able to prevent injury or damage.
WHENEVER YOU SEE A NEAR MISS, ASK “WHY?”
Suppose you are walking toward a suspended mason’s scaffold. You see a brick fall but hear no warning shout. Ask yourself: “Why did it fall? Was it kicked loose? Is a toe board missing?” Then correct this condition if possible. If not, report it to someone who can.
A near miss is a potential hazard or incident that has not resulted in any personal injury or property damage. Unsafe working conditions, hazardous conditions, unsafe employee work habits, improper use of equipment or use of malfunctioning equipment have the potential to cause work related injuries.
The intent of near miss reporting is to learn from an unsafe act or condition before an event becomes an injury.
Your assistance in reporting these incidents can prevent an injury from one day occurring. A Doggett Near Miss report is not designed to find fault or blame.