We often talk about hazards, accidents, incidents and near misses in the workplace, but it's essential that as EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety) professionals we understand the difference.
It's crucial that we understand and differentiate between terms like hazards, accidents, incidents, and near misses to effectively manage our workplaces safety and improve compliance.
Let's break these terms down:
Hazard: A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm, injury, or damage. Hazards can be physical (e.g., wet floors, exposed machinery), chemical (e.g., toxic substances), biological (e.g., bacteria or viruses), ergonomic (e.g., repetitive strain), or psychological (e.g., stress or harassment). Hazards are inherent in the environment, but not all hazards lead to accidents or injuries.
Accident: An accident refers to an unexpected, undesirable event that results in harm, injury, damage, or loss. Accidents are the result of hazards and usually lead to negative consequences like injuries, property damage, or environmental harm. An accident is often seen as the end result of a chain of events that starts with the presence of a hazard.
Incident: An incident is any event that disrupts normal operations or poses a threat to health, safety, or the environment. An incident could be an accident, a near miss, or even a hazard identified without causing harm. Incidents are broader in scope because they also include near misses, which, though they don't lead to damage, could have.
Near Miss: A near miss is an event where something dangerous almost happened but didn't, due to a narrow escape. It's a close call or a warning sign of a potential problem. For example, a worker might trip over an object but catch themselves before falling, or a malfunctioning piece of equipment might have caused an accident but was shut down in time. These incidents don't cause harm but provide valuable information about workplace hazards that need attention.
Building a positive health and safety culture relies heavily on proactive safety reporting. This involves consistently reporting all types of safety events, such as hazards, near misses, accidents, and injuries. By increasing the volume of near miss reports within your organisation, you can gather more valuable safety data. Analysing this data allows you to identify emerging trends, offering insights that enable you to take proactive measures to manage and reduce workplace risks.
So what are the barriers that prevent near miss reporting within your organisation? You may recognise some of the challenges we've listed below. How can you overcome these obstacles both in terms of culture and approach. And how can Mirashare's EHS software help engage your employees and improve near miss reporting in your workplace?
Despite its importance, there are several barriers to near miss reporting that can hinder its effectiveness and prevent organisations from fully benefiting from this proactive safety measure. The following article discusses some of these most common barriers and offers a solution to help overcome them:
Employees may hesitate to report near misses due to a fear of punishment, blame, or disciplinary action, especially if the near miss occurred due to human error. If workers believe that reporting a near miss could reflect poorly on them or lead to negative consequences, they might choose to keep the information to themselves.
Workers may feel that they are too busy or that reporting near misses takes time away from their regular duties. In fast-paced environments, employees might perceive reporting as an added burden and not recognise its long-term value in preventing actual accidents.
Some employees might not fully understand what constitutes a near miss or why it's important to report it. They may believe that only actual accidents or injuries are significant enough to warrant reporting, overlooking the value of near misses as opportunities to prevent future incidents.
In some organisations, especially those with a poor safety culture, near miss reporting may not be prioritised. If the leadership does not emphasise or reward reporting, employees may feel that their contributions aren't valued, leading to underreporting.
If the near miss reporting system is seen as inefficient, difficult to use, or unreliable, employees may be discouraged from reporting. They might feel that their reports won't be acted upon or that they will be ignored.
If employees do not trust that management or the safety team is genuinely interested in improving safety, they may be reluctant to report near misses. This is often the result of a history of poor safety practices, lack of transparency, or management not acting on reported issues.
In environments where accidents have not occurred in a long time, employees may become complacent and believe that near misses are just "part of the job." They may assume that a near miss doesn't indicate a larger problem and may not see the value in reporting it.
To overcome these barriers, organisations must prioritise safety culture, make reporting easier, and ensure that reports are acted upon effectively. By actively engaging employees, providing training, and fostering trust in management, organisations can break down the obstacles to near miss reporting and create a safer, more proactive workplace. And having the right technology in place enables you to deliver seamlessly.
Click here to find out more about Mirashare’s Incident and Near miss reporting solution.
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