Near Miss
A Near Miss is a workplace event that could have resulted in an injury or accident but fortunately did not. Think of it as a "close call" or "narrow escape." It's an important concept in workplace safety because these incidents serve as warning signs that help prevent future accidents. Safety professionals use Near Miss reporting to identify potential hazards and take preventive actions before real accidents happen. For example, if someone almost slips on a wet floor but catches themselves, that's a Near Miss - and it signals that "wet floor" signs or better cleaning procedures might be needed.
Examples in Resumes
Developed and implemented Near Miss reporting system that improved safety awareness by 45%
Led daily safety briefings highlighting Near Miss incidents and preventive measures
Reduced workplace accidents by 30% through effective Near Miss and hazard identification program
Typical job title: "Safety Professionals"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Safety Professionals
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Job Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you implement a Near Miss reporting program in a company that has never had one?
Expected Answer: Should discuss creating an easy-to-use reporting system, training employees, ensuring confidentiality, establishing clear follow-up procedures, and methods to track and analyze data for trends.
Q: How do you measure the effectiveness of a Near Miss reporting program?
Expected Answer: Should mention tracking reporting rates, employee participation levels, reduction in actual incidents, time to resolution of reported issues, and overall safety culture improvements.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What would you do with a Near Miss report once you receive it?
Expected Answer: Should explain the process of investigating the report, determining root causes, implementing corrective actions, and communicating findings back to employees.
Q: How do you encourage employees to report Near Misses?
Expected Answer: Should discuss creating a no-blame culture, making reporting easy and accessible, providing feedback on reports, and possibly implementing recognition programs.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is a Near Miss and why is it important?
Expected Answer: Should explain that it's an event that could have caused harm but didn't, and its importance in preventing future accidents through early warning signs.
Q: What information should be included in a Near Miss report?
Expected Answer: Should mention date, location, description of what happened, potential consequences, contributing factors, and suggested preventive measures.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic incident reporting
- Safety regulations knowledge
- Hazard identification
- Communication skills
Mid (2-5 years)
- Incident investigation
- Safety program implementation
- Training development
- Data analysis and trending
Senior (5+ years)
- Program development and management
- Root cause analysis
- Safety culture development
- Strategic planning
Red Flags to Watch For
- No understanding of basic safety principles
- Lack of experience with incident reporting systems
- Poor communication skills
- No knowledge of safety regulations and standards
- Inability to demonstrate investigation experience
Related Terms
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