The Importance of Reporting Near Misses in Workplace Safety

We’re all familiar with the concept of a near miss, but what does it mean in the context of workplace safety? Safety near misses involve unplanned events that could have resulted in injury, damage, or loss but did not. Left unaddressed, these incidents could lead to future accidents, claims, or worse. 

One study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) analyzed 167 near misses using a 5×5 risk matrix. The study revealed that 19% were low risk, 25% moderate risk, 30% high risk, and 26% critical risk. This research highlights the importance of fostering a proactive safety culture of near-miss reporting and analysis to prevent actual incidents.

At Safety Plus, we combine technology, program management, safety services, and resources to help organizations avoid workplace incidents and create safer, more productive workplaces. In this article, we explore why reporting near misses improves workplace safety and the benefits of near-miss reporting for your safety program.

Why Near Misses Matter

When workplace safety near misses occur, it’s vital to examine internal practices and determine how to avoid near misses in the future. Here are some reasons to pay close attention to near misses in the workplace.   

Early Warning System

Near misses serve as early warning signals, spotlighting weaknesses in your safety protocols. They provide opportunities to identify and rectify potential hazards before they turn into injuries or property damage.

Preventive Action

Research suggests that for every injury reported, there may be between 10 and 100 near-miss incidents. Addressing these near misses can reduce the likelihood of more severe incidents.​

Cost Savings

The National Safety Council reports that the total cost of work injuries in 2022 was $167 billion, encompassing wage and productivity losses, medical expenses, and administrative costs. As such, preventing accidents through near-miss reporting can result in notable cost savings for your organization related to injuries, downtime, and liabilities.

Organizational Learning

The NIOSH study also found that near-miss tracking and reporting helps refine safety protocols and risk assessments. By analyzing near misses, you can implement corrective actions, such as tighter controls or procedural changes, to enhance workplace safety. ​

A Note on Managing Near-Miss Data Effectively

While capturing near misses is critical, not all incidents carry the same level of risk—and treating every report with equal urgency can overwhelm safety teams and dilute their focus.

Many safety models describe a pyramid relationship between minor incidents and serious injuries, but addressing every low-risk observation may not prevent serious injuries or fatalities (SIFs). For example, a forklift veering off course and nearly hitting a worker is fundamentally different from a trip hazard caused by an object left in a walkway. Both deserve attention, but not the same level of intervention.

The key is prioritization. Organizations should focus resources on identifying potential SIF events—those near misses that present the highest risk of severe consequences.

Defining What a Near Miss Is (and Isn’t)

A critical part of an effective near-miss program is clearly defining what qualifies as a near miss and ensuring that reports are categorized appropriately. Simply collecting reports without a structured plan for evaluation and response isn’t enough.

Organizations should determine:

• What defines a near miss?
• How should it be reported and categorized by risk level?
• What actions will be taken based on the data collected?

By establishing clear criteria and prioritizing reports based on severity, safety teams can efficiently address serious risks without getting bogged down in low-risk observations.

Common Reasons Near Misses Go Unreported

While the importance of near-miss reporting may appear obvious, it’s not uncommon for near misses to go unreported. Common reasons for failure to report them include:

• Fear of punishment or blame: Employees may hesitate to report near misses due to concerns about being blamed for the incident and facing repercussions.​
• Lack of awareness: Some workers may not recognize what constitutes a near miss or understand its importance in preventing future accidents.​
• Perception of insignificance: If no one was hurt, employees might consider the incident trivial and not worth reporting.​
• Inconvenient reporting procedures: Complex or time-consuming reporting systems can discourage employees from documenting near misses.​

The NIOSH study also highlights that poor risk communication may lead to underreporting and missed opportunities to prevent hazards.

How to Encourage Employees to Report Near Misses

As the National Safety Council notes, employee participation is critical to the success of near-miss safety programs. To begin reducing accidents through near-miss tracking and reporting, ensure employees have the confidence and tools they need for proper reporting. Here are some near-miss prevention strategies and best practices to implement.

Create a Blame-Free Culture

Emphasize that reporting is about prevention, not punishment. Encouraging open communication fosters trust and helps employees feel comfortable reporting near misses.​

Make Reporting Easy

Use simple, accessible reporting structures, like OSHA’s templates or ​Safety Plus’ software tools, to streamline submissions.

Recognize and Act on Reports

Demonstrate that reports lead to tangible safety improvements. Acknowledging employees who report near misses reinforces the importance of their contributions to workplace safety.​

Educate Employees

Provide training on what constitutes a near miss, why reporting matters, and how to identify serious risks.​

Incorporate Risk Assessment

Integrate near-miss reports with formal risk assessments to enhance situational awareness. This approach allows for systematic evaluation of potential hazards.

Leveraging Safety Management Systems (SMS)

Advanced tracking tools, like Safety Plus’ all-in-one platform, allow organizations to efficiently categorize near misses, assess risk, and implement preventive measures aligned with OSHA requirements.

Building Cultures of Safety With Near-Miss Reporting

Reporting near misses creates strong safety cultures, allowing organizations to identify and address potential hazards before they result in incidents. Implementing or improving near-miss tracking systems can foster safer work environments where everyone feels empowered to put safety and compliance first.

At Safety Plus, our software and services empower companies to manage near-miss reporting programs effectively—helping you prioritize risks, improve compliance, and protect your bottom line.

Contact us today for a consultation to explore how near-miss reporting and analysis can strengthen your safety program.