2-10. Near-Miss Reporting and Utilization to Prevent Serious Accidents

In order to prevent serious accidents, it is extremely important to collect and utilize "near misses" (short-sighted experiences) that occur in daily work. Near misses are cases where one wrong move could lead to a disaster, and by systematically collecting and analyzing these and using them to make improvements, a safety culture can be strengthened. Along with KYT (hazard prediction training) and risk assessment, near misses are attracting attention as an effective safety management method.

1. Significance of collecting near misses

Near misses are considered "precursors to accidents." Heinrich's Law states that behind one serious accident there are 29 minor accidents and 300 near misses, and identifying the signs early increases the chances of avoiding serious accidents. Creating a system that makes it easy for each employee to share their experiences will improve safety sensitivity throughout the organization.

2. Creating a system for collecting near misses

To effectively collect near misses, it is essential to create an environment where it is easy to report on-site. It is a good idea to simplify the reporting format and provide multiple methods, such as paper, a dedicated system, or a smartphone app. It is also effective to lower the psychological hurdle by allowing anonymous reporting. It is also important to always provide feedback to reporters so that they feel that it is not just a mere obligation, but that it is actually leading to improvements.

3. Analysis and Trending

It is important to classify and analyze the collected near misses and understand trends. For example, organize them into categories such as "equipment malfunctions," "inadequate work procedures," "failure to wear protective equipment," and "deficiencies in the work environment," and focus on improving the most frequent incidents. By organizing them statistically, risks that are difficult to see on-site can be clarified.

4. Expanding to improvement activities

Based on the analysis results, concrete measures such as improving equipment, revising work procedures, and strengthening education and training are implemented. In addition, by sharing the details of improvements with the workplace, near-miss reporting is not just a formality, but employees are given a sense of actually making the workplace safer. This encourages further reporting, creating a virtuous cycle.

5. Education and utilization

Near miss cases are very effective as educational materials. Introducing them at morning assemblies and safety meetings and using them as KYT topics will give employees an opportunity to think about how they apply them to their own work. Also, compiling a collection of case studies on a regular basis and distributing them to everyone will also help raise awareness.

Collecting and utilizing near misses is the front line in preventing serious accidents and is a powerful means of realizing employee-participation in safety management. By continuing the cycle of reporting → analysis → improvement → education, a safety culture can be firmly established in the workplace.