ABSTRACT
A near-miss is redefined as any incident where an exchange of energy occurs, but there is no contact and which under slightly different circumstances could have resulted in injury, property damage, or loss of process. The consequences of a contact may often be hidden and, though there is contact, under slightly different circumstances the consequences could have been greater. Identifying and rectifying the causes of near-misses eliminates all probable consequences. The minute there is an event, that unsafe act or condition then becomes an incident or a near-miss. A brief investigation as to the actual ratio of injuries to near-misses was conducted at a large industry in the USA and the following ratio was determined. Most organizations do attempt to get near-misses reported by encouraging employees to report them. The near-miss report should have ranked the level of risk via the mini risk assessment incorporated in the forms, which will determine the level of action that the event will receive.
