Every serious workplace accident is preceded by a warning — a slip, a shortcut, a close call. These moments, known as near misses, are vital indicators of potential risks. Yet, they’re often ignored, underreported, or dismissed as harmless.
To build a genuinely safe workplace, organisations must take near misses seriously — not just accidents. In this article, we explore how to spot them, why they matter, and what you can do to reduce risk before an incident occurs.
What Is a Near Miss?
A near miss is an unplanned event that could have resulted in injury, illness, or damage — but didn’t. For example:
- A forklift narrowly avoids hitting a pedestrian
- A piece of equipment malfunctions but doesn’t cause harm
- An object falls from height but misses a worker
These are moments of opportunity — red flags that reveal weaknesses in safety procedures, behaviour, or design.
Why Near Misses Matter
Many organisations focus only on recordable incidents. But near misses provide critical insight into the underlying risks and unsafe practices that often go unnoticed until it’s too late.
Here’s why tracking and analysing near misses is essential:
- They help identify hazards before harm occurs
- They reveal behavioural trends across teams or shifts
- They support continuous improvement of safety protocols
- They reduce the likelihood of serious accidents in the future
The key is to treat every near miss as if it were a warning — because it is.
Common Barriers to Reporting
Despite their importance, near misses often go unreported. Why?
- Workers fear blame or punishment
- Incidents are brushed off as “nothing happened”
- Reporting systems are too complex or time-consuming
- Supervisors don’t encourage proactive reporting
To overcome this, companies need to create a culture of trust and implement tools that make reporting simple and non-punitive.
Practical Steps to Avoid Near Misses
Here’s what leading safety-focused organisations do to reduce risk and avoid near misses:
- Foster a No-Blame Reporting Culture
Encourage all employees to speak up — and reinforce that reporting is a positive action, not a negative one.
- Make Reporting Easy
Use digital tools, mobile apps, or even QR codes that allow workers to log a near miss quickly and anonymously if needed.
- Analyse and Act
Don’t just collect reports — review them regularly. Look for:
- Recurring patterns
- High-risk areas
- Gaps in training or procedures
Turn these insights into clear, actionable improvements.
- Use AI and Automation
AI-powered platforms can now detect near misses automatically using computer vision. These systems identify unsafe behaviours, such as entering restricted zones or improper equipment use, without relying on human reporting.
This is where advanced tools like Protex AI’s platform can add huge value.
Recommended Resource: Protex AI’s Guide
For a detailed and actionable roadmap, check out this guide on how to avoid near misses. It outlines:
- The difference between near misses and incidents
- How to create a near miss reporting strategy
- Tips for safety managers to encourage open reporting
- The role of technology in improving detection and prevention
It’s an excellent starting point for organisations of any size looking to make safety more proactive and less reactive.
Avoiding accidents starts with recognising risks — and near misses are often the clearest signal. By tracking, analysing, and learning from these close calls, businesses can prevent serious injuries, boost morale, and foster a culture of accountability.
Don’t wait for a serious incident to take action. Use every near miss as a chance to make your workplace safer — and smarter.
