One of the simplest and most direct ways to train is to pose and answer a series of questions about the safety issue. Here’s an example of how this method works for near- miss training.
What Is a Near Miss?
A near miss is an incident in which property damage and injury could have happened—but didn’t. But given a slight shift in time or position, damage and/or injury could easily have occurred. It is a warning that something is wrong and needs to be fixed. Safety experts believe that many accidents are preceded by one or several near misses.
The difference between a near miss and an accident could be a fraction of an inch or a split second in time. For example:
- A worker misses being run over by a forklift by a few inches.
- A worker steps away from a rack of shelves seconds before a heavy object falls and lands right where he was standing.
If the hazards that cause near misses are not corrected, eventually there will be an accident, and someone could be injured.
Think you have no time to train? Think again. BLR’s 7-Minute Safety Trainer helps you fulfill key OSHA-required training tasks in as little as 7 minutes. Try it at no cost and see!
What Causes Near Misses?
Near misses are caused by the same kinds of workplace hazards that cause actual accidents:
- Unsafe conditions, and/or
- Unsafe acts.
Unsafe acts cause many near misses and accidents. In other words, mistakes people make and risks they take often cause safety problems. That means you and your coworkers have the power to prevent near misses and accidents.
Even hazards that don’t seem too important—like a spill on the floor or a small shock when you use electrical equipment—could result in an accident or injury. Don’t ignore them!
What Should You Do if You Have a Near Miss?
Heed the warning of a near miss, and take every near miss as seriously as if it were an actual accident.
Report all near misses to your supervisor immediately. Don’t be afraid you’ll be blamed or penalized for the incident.
By reporting near misses, you are doing a positive, safe thing and likely preventing an accident that could injure you or a coworker. The sooner you report a safety problem, the sooner it can be fixed.
Too often after a near miss, people think, “Thank goodness! This must be my lucky day,” and forget about the incident. That’s a serious mistake you don’t want to make.
Effective, 7-minute sessions providing comprehensive safety training at an average cost of $1 a day. Get the details.
In tomorrow’s Advisor, we’ll ask and answer a few more questions about near misses—plus introduce an exciting way to conduct effective safety training in 7 minutes flat.