Introduction

This week we are going to talk about near misses. Near misses are free lessons that give us a chance to fix hazards before someone gets hurt. By recognizing and recording near misses, we can correct unsafe conditions before they lead to serious accidents.

Monday- What is a Near Miss

A near miss is an unplanned event that didn’t cause injury or damage but easily could have. Examples include slipping without falling, a tool falling near someone, or equipment malfunction caught in time. Near misses happen far more often than accidents, and every serious incident is usually preceded by several near misses. Recognizing near misses gives us the chance to fix problems before someone gets hurt.

Discussion Questions:

• What’s an example of a near miss you’ve seen on the job?
• Why do you think near misses happen more often than accidents?
• What could happen if near misses are ignored?

Tuesday – Why Near Misses Matter

Near misses matter because they reveal hazards in our work environment. When we don’t address near misses, we allow unsafe conditions or behaviors to continue. Taking near misses seriously helps reduce injuries, equipment damage, downtime, and costs. They also help us improve training, procedures, and communication.

Discussion Questions:

• How can a near miss today turn into an accident tomorrow?
• What types of near misses happen most often in our work?
• How does fixing near misses help everyone on the crew?

Wednesday – Capturing Near Misses

Capturing near misses means identifying and reporting them when they occur. Small incidents can lead to serious injuries if hazards aren’t addressed. Reporting near misses helps us spot trends and recurring issues. The goal of capturing near misses is prevention—not blame or discipline.

Discussion Questions:

• What might stop someone from reporting a near miss?
• How can we make it easier to report near misses?
• Why is reporting a near miss a positive safety action?

Thursday – Speaking Up

Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Speaking up about near misses can prevent serious injuries. If conditions are unsafe, stop working and report the issue. A strong safety culture depends on trust, communication, and looking out for one another.

Discussion Questions:

• How can we encourage coworkers to speak up about near misses?

• What should you do if you see an unsafe condition?

• How does reporting near misses show professionalism and teamwork?

Friday – Take Action

Often, when a near miss occurs there are actions, we can take immediately to prevent it from happening again.  Reporting and recording is important so that we can look for similar situations and put systems into place to keep them from occurring again. However, it is also important that we don’t wait to act and correct what we can.

Discussion Questions:

• Can you think of a near miss that has occurred that can be corrected now?

• What are the risks of not taking action?

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