Near Misses: Why Reporting Close Calls Matters

In every workplace, there are moments when something almost goes wrong—a forklift tips but doesn’t fall, a machine sparks but causes no harm, or a worker slips but catches themselves. These are known as near misses. While they may not result in injury or damage, they are powerful indicators that an organization’s operations, safety procedures or hazard controls need attention.

Unfortunately, many near misses go unreported. Employees may assume there is no need to speak up if no one is hurt. However, this mindset can lead to missed opportunities to prevent future accidents. Understanding and acting on near misses is one of the most effective ways to strengthen workplace safety and reduce risk.

This article explains what a near miss is, why near misses matter and how organizations can develop a near-miss reporting program.

What Is a Near Miss?

A near miss is an unplanned event that didn’t result in injury, illness or property damage but had the potential to do so. Examples include:

• A worker bypassing a safety guard without consequence.
• A heavy object falling but missing someone.
• A chemical spill that’s cleaned up before causing harm.

A near miss is more than just a close call—it’s a critical signal. These events often arise from the same root causes as actual incidents, making them valuable opportunities for proactive intervention. On the other hand, ignoring near misses is a lost opportunity to improve safety and prevent future incidents.

Too often, near misses are brushed off with a “no harm, no foul” mindset. But they matter for several critical reasons:

• They reveal hidden hazards. Near misses often point to unsafe conditions or behaviours that haven’t yet caused harm, but could.
• They help prevent future accidents. According to the safety triangle theory, also known as the Heinrich Pyramid, there are hundreds of near misses for every major accident. Addressing near-misses early can prevent serious incidents before they happen.
• They build a culture of safety. Encouraging near-miss reporting shows employees that their observations are valued and that safety is a shared responsibility.
• They improve risk awareness. Discussing near misses helps employees recognize potential dangers in their environment, making them more alert and proactive.
• They support continuous improvement. Near-miss data can highlight patterns or recurring issues, guiding updates to training, procedures or equipment.
• They reduce costs. Preventing accidents before they happen can help reduce the financial impact of injuries, downtime, investigations and insurance claims.

Additionally, reporting near misses can support regulatory compliance. While there aren’t any specific laws that require organizations to create and implement a near-miss reporting program, there are regulations at both the federal and provincial levels that require workplaces to report certain types of incidents to government authorities. By documenting and investigating near misses, organizations can proactively address hazards before they escalate into reportable incidents, supporting overall compliance and reducing legal and operational risks.

Many organizations struggle to effectively capture near misses due to unclear processes and limited reporting mechanisms. In contrast, organizations can significantly improve the identification, analysis and use of near-miss data by implementing a structured and accessible reporting approach.

The following is a practical six-step framework designed to help organizations build a robust near-miss reporting program:

1. Define what constitutes a near miss. Organizations should use a clear, inclusive definition and provide real-world examples in workplace procedures, training materials and safety briefings.
2. Design a simple reporting mechanism. Organizations should create a brief, user-friendly reporting form—whether digital or paper-based—that makes it easy for employees to describe what happened, where the near-miss occurred and what could have gone wrong.
3. Incorporate near-miss awareness into training. Employers should make sure employees understand what constitutes a near miss, why it matters and how to report it. This should be included in onboarding and ongoing safety education.
4. Investigate reports and take corrective action. Organizations must assess near-miss reports based on how serious the potential consequences could have been and then investigate each case thoroughly to identify the underlying causes. Depending on the findings, organizations should implement appropriate corrective actions, such as equipment repairs, procedural updates or additional training.
5. Report back on outcomes. Organizations should share findings and actions taken in response to reports with staff and relevant stakeholders. Transparency reinforces trust and encourages continued participation in the reporting process.
6. Track data and continually improve. Organizations should maintain a log of near-miss reports and follow-up actions. This data can be used to identify patterns, refine training and strengthen the overall safety culture.

Near misses are more than close calls. They’re opportunities to learn, improve and prevent harm. Organizations can build safer, more resilient workplaces by treating near misses as valuable data points rather than lucky escapes.

In addition to improving safety, this proactive approach can also support regulatory compliance and, in some cases, contribute to lowered insurance premiums by reducing the frequency and severity of claims.