6-20. A Real-Life Example of a Lack of Safety Culture: "Zero Near-Miss Reports"

In a company's EHS (Environmental, Health, and Safety) management, near-miss reporting is a crucial mechanism for preventing serious accidents. However, some companies mistakenly view "zero near-miss reports" as a sign of a high level of safety, when in reality, it may indicate a lack of a deeply ingrained safety culture. A near-miss is a sign of a small anomaly or potential risk, and without the sharing of these incidents, the likelihood of a major accident increases. This article examines the problems and lessons learned from having zero near-miss reports.

1. The Organizational Culture Behind Zero Near-Miss Reports

In one manufacturing company, there were zero near-miss reports for several years. Management interpreted this as evidence of a high level of safety awareness among workers. In reality, employees were reluctant to report incidents due to a psychological pressure, fearing they would be reprimanded for carelessness or that it would negatively affect their performance reviews. This created a culture where "it's better not to report," which led to small unsafe acts and abnormalities being overlooked, increasing the risk of a serious incident.

2. The Concealment of Unreported Risks

When near-misses go unreported, management mistakenly assumes there are no problems and fails to implement corrective measures. As a result, the same unsafe actions are repeated. In one factory, an equipment malfunction was ignored, eventually leading to a fire. A lack of reports is not a sign of "safety" but a warning that "information is being hidden."

3. A Real-World Example of Lacking a Safety Culture

In a case from the construction industry, a site supervisor intentionally suppressed near-miss reports because he believed it would affect the project deadline. As a result, the same flaws in work procedures were repeated, ultimately leading to a fatal fall. In this case, the reporting system became a mere formality, and an immature safety culture was the underlying cause of the accident.

4. Measures to Encourage Reporting

To revitalize near-miss reporting, the following measures are effective:

• Evaluate the number of reports as an indicator of a healthy safety culture.

• Create a system that connects reports to gratitude and improvement, not punishment.

• Introduce easy-to-use reporting methods, such as anonymous reporting or a simple app.

• Have management take the lead in welcoming reports and ingrain a safety culture throughout the organization.

Conclusion

Zero near-miss reports do not mean there are no accident risks. Instead, it is a warning sign that potential risks on the ground are being overlooked. It is essential for a company to cultivate a culture where people are not afraid to report and to strengthen its preventive mechanisms. The proactive sharing of near-misses is the foundation of a truly robust safety culture.