{"id":3097,"date":"2022-06-20T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-20T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.compliancesigns.com\/blog\/turn-near-misses-into-solutions\/"},"modified":"2022-08-11T13:55:59","modified_gmt":"2022-08-11T17:55:59","slug":"turn-near-misses-into-solutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.compliancesigns.com\/blog\/turn-near-misses-into-solutions\/","title":{"rendered":"Don\u2019t Let Today\u2019s Near Miss Be Tomorrow\u2019s Injury: Turning Near Misses Into Safety Solutions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You\u2019ve probably heard the phrase, \u201cThose who forget history are doomed to repeat it.\u201d There\u2019s some truth to that. When it comes to workplace safety, that old expression can be especially accurate and foreboding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you ever tripped, just a little, on a loose tile? Or maybe you\u2019ve caught your shirt on a sharp edge of steel on a machine? Or perhaps you\u2019ve repeatedly come around a blind corner only to have a forklift whiz past and miss you by inches. After it happens, you think to yourself, \u201cSomeone really ought to do something about that before someone gets hurt!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each of these instances may seem like a little thing \u2013 just a small incident that didn\u2019t result in any significant damage or injury. The problem is, that if it\u2019s happened to you, it\u2019s probably happened repeatedly to others as well. It\u2019s what OSHA likes to call a close call or a near miss. Eventually, if the problem isn\u2019t addressed, it can lead to a major injury or even fatality. Someone trips and hits their head on the floor. Someone cuts themselves badly on that sharp edge. The forklift can\u2019t avoid the person coming around the corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Near misses happen in every business and they are an opportunity. Encourage your employees to report every near miss, no matter how small. What you do with that information can be the difference between a successful safety program and potential lawsuit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Create a Plan for Near Misses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before you can reliably turn near misses into solutions, you need to create a workplace policy around them so everyone is on the same page. Keep it simple for optimal employee engagement. Your near miss program should include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Report the Near Miss Incident<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Strongly encourage your employees to report close calls. You can\u2019t do anything about a potential hazard if you don\u2019t know it exists, right? Post appropriate signs throughout your workplace, including breakrooms and restrooms, reminding your personnel of the importance of reporting all incidents<\/a>. Keep reporting anonymous so your employees feel more comfortable doing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Block Off the Accident Site<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No matter how small, it\u2019s crucial to block off the site of the near-miss accident so no one else is exposed to the threat while you develop a game plan for eliminating it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Communicate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ensure that all managers, safety team members and any affected employees are made aware of the situation. Simply knowing there is a hazard helps to avoid more accidents. Plus, open communication improves your chances of coming up with a solution to the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Fill Out the Proper Form<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll want to have documentation of the situation for future reference. OSHA has a template called the “Employee\u2019s Report of Injury Form”<\/a>. It\u2019s a clear, easy-to-use 5-page form that helps you keep track of all pertinent information from the near-miss incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Resolve the Issue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Now that you have all of the information, you can work together with your safety team to come up with a solution for fixing the hazard. You know where the hazard is and what has been causing it. The final step is to take measures to eliminate it permanently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t Underestimate Near Misses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When a near miss occurs, whether to you or an employee, it can be easy to breathe a sigh of relief and shrug it off. After all, no one was seriously hurt! By ignoring these situations, you\u2019re setting your company up for a much worse incident in the future. By encouraging your employees to report all near miss incidents, you\u2019re creating an opportunity to improve the overall safety of your facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Workplace safety doesn\u2019t happen by accident. Create a plan to turn your near miss incidents into long term solutions for a safer and happier workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n