Near Misses: Prevention and Response Training Course

A near-miss, as defined by OSHA, is an incident involving a potential hazard that could have caused injury or damage but did not, often due to timing or position. OSHA requires all near-misses to be reported and investigated so hazards can be corrected, preventing future incidents. In this training, you will learn how to identify and report near-miss incidents, the steps to an investigation, and how near-misses should be reported. Near-misses provide valuable information that can be used to prevent future accidents!

OSHA recommends that all near-miss incidents be investigated by a team to determine their root cause and eliminate underlying hazards, improve safety policies, and prevent future injuries or damages. Investigations should follow a clear plan detailing notification procedures, timelines, responsibilities, and corrective action steps. OSHA’s four-step investigation process involves preserving and documenting the scene, collecting detailed information through evidence and witness interviews, identifying the root cause, and implementing specific corrective actions.

Information from near-miss incidents can only help improve workplace safety if they are reported! OSHA reporting policy requires all near-miss incidents to be reported to a supervisor within 24 hours of their occurrence. These reports help identify and address hazards, with employees potentially participating in investigations. Companies are encouraged to offer positive incentives for reporting, and the investigation results should be shared with staff through meetings, postings, or other communications to promote transparency and prevent future incidents.

This course will help you understand what a near-miss incident is and how information from a follow-up investigation can help keep the workplace safer in the future. No one wants to get injured at work, and making corrective actions after a near-miss is one of the best ways to keep everyone safe!

This program is available with Spanish and French closed captions.