A near miss is an event or hazard that does not result in injury, illness, or damage but had the potential to do so.

• Near misses must be reported, regardless of how severe, to ensure that the appropriate steps are taken to prevent a recurrence in which serious injury or loss may occur.

• Near misses happen in the grain and feed industry on a regular basis. Near misses can be used as a tool to change processes and prevent future incidents and serious injuries from happening.

• With proper reporting and investigation, these incidents should never reoccur.

Near misses can be used as a tool to change processes and prevent future incidents and serious injuries from happening.

Examples of Near Misses

• A worker not wearing the proper personal protective equipment for the job.

• A worker not following proper procedures or safe work practices.

• A person slips on ice but does not fall or hurt themselves.

• Tool malfunctions or misuse.

• A tool that is dropped and lands near another person.

• A person nearly slips into the opening where a guardrail is missing.

• Nearly hitting underground utilities or lines.

• Using the top of a step ladder as a step.

• Equipment nearly contacting overhead power lines.

• Vehicle or object impact or strike close call.

Near misses are accidents waiting to happen. The only difference between a near miss and an accident is a fraction of an inch or a second in time.

Near Miss Tips

• Near misses are accidents waiting to happen. The only difference between a near miss and an accident is a fraction of an inch or a second in time.

• Report all near misses right away. Most accidents are preceded by multiple near misses. Report them to your supervisor so that he or she can track the patterns, pinpoint the problem, and take corrective action.

• If possible, remove the hazard immediately. Do your part to protect co-workers, contractors, and visitors from injury. Do not forget to report the hazard, even if you removed it.

• Report damaged equipment or property. Do not wait for a near miss or accident to happen. Stay alert for anything that could cause an accident. Injuries often can be traced back to equipment or property damage that was never reported or repaired.

• Look for and report damaged equipment.

• Stay alert for and report property damage.

• Think of a scenario not an event. Often, we look at the event but not the scenario. Consider all the events that led up to the near miss when reporting.

• Consider what was different this time that caused the near miss. Change from the norm often is where the near miss and accident occurs. It could be a different tool, different process, someone/something out of place. Consider any small differences during the incident investigation.

Source: Glenn Dickey, All-Safe Program Manager, AgriSphere Services, LLC, Decatur, IL; gdickey@agrisphere.com.