A near miss can be defined as “an incident that could have resulted in an injury or illness to people, damage to property or impact to the environment but didn’t.

An uncontrolled vehicle that comes to a stop without injuring someone or without damaging the vehicle or other property, using a cutting disc on an angle grinder to grind material where the disc shatters without causing injury or, using the incorrect type of oil in a vehicle but, realising this, draining the oil and replacing it with the correct oil before the vehicle is started, are all examples of “Near Miss” incidents.

Near misses are often considered an invaluable “free lesson”, allowing workplaces to implement effective controls in situations prior to them resulting in an injury or something equally or more serious. It’s important that workplaces have a process in place to capture, action and where required, investigate near miss incidents. It’s also important that all “Near Miss” incidents are reported as soon as reasonably practicable. Often, this proactive behaviour leads to, or further contributes to, a positive safety culture in workplaces.