Statistics show that for approximately every 600 near misses there is a significant probability of a major incident. This presentation explains the importance of a formal reporting and recording system

1. OILANDGASDOCS.COM
REPORTING OF
NEAR MISSES
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2. WHAT IS A NEAR MISS?
A NEAR MISS IS AN INCIDENT THAT, UNDER SLIGHTLY
DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES, COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN
INJURY, FIRE, DISCHARGE, SPILL OR LEAK, VEHICLE
ACCIDENT OR PROPERTY DAMAGE

3. WHY DO WE WANT TO KNOW ABOUT NEAR MISSES?
STATISTICS SHOW APPROXIMATELY THAT FOR EVERY 600 NEAR
MISSES THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT PROBABILITY OF A MAJOR
INCIDENT
HARD LESSONS
MINOR LESSONS
FREE LESSONS

4. OCTOBER 1999
A TRAIN WENT THROUGH A RED LIGHT ON A LONDON
RAIL TRACK
THE RED LIGHT WAS KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN FAULTY FOR
3 MONTHS
IT HAD HAPPENED 634 TIMES BEFORE
634 NEAR MISSES !
AN EXAMPLE OF WHY WE WANT TO KNOW

5. ON THE 635TH RUN THROUGH THE RED LIGHT
31 PEOPLE DIDN’T GO HOME
THAT NIGHT OR ANY OTHER NIGHT !
WHY WE WANT TO KNOW (CONT’D)

6. WE ARE SEEING THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG
WHY WE WANT TO KNOW (CONT’D)
LEARNING AND TAKING ACTION
ON NEAR MISSES REDUCES
SERIOUS INCIDENTS

7. THE FREQUENCY OF NEAR MISSES COULD BE VERY HIGH & UNREPORTED
LEADING TO A SIGNIFICANT PROBABILITY OF A MAJOR INCIDENT ( TRAIN
WRECK)
TO IDENTIFY ACTIVITIES/PRACTICES THAT ARE UNSAFE AND TO ENSURE
COUNTERMEASURES ARE IN PLACE BEFORE AN INCIDENT OCCURS
TO IDENTIFY TRENDS AND “PINPOINT” WHERE WE CAN PROACTIVELY
PREVENT OR CORRECT COMMON PROBLEMS.
TO SHARE INFORMATION AND COUNTERMEASURES ACROSS ORGANISATIONS.
WHY WE WANT TO KNOW (CONT’D)

8. • COMMUNICATE WHAT A “NEAR MISS” IS
• GIVE EXAMPLES OF NEAR MISSES, UNSAFE ACTS AND UNSAFE CONDITIONS
• EXPLAIN THAT REPORTING NEAR MISSES WILL REDUCE THE CHANCE OF
INDIVIDUAL INJURY
• ENSURE ALL EMPLOYEES ARE REMINDED OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO
• REPORT NEAR MISS INCIDENTS
• UNSAFE ACTS AND UNSAFE CONDITIONS MAY BE REPORTED BY THE
RELEVANT REPORT FORM
• CORRECTIVE ACTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN BY THE REPORTING DEPARTMENT
WHAT CAN WE DO TO IMPROVE REPORTING?

9. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN HSE
OBSERVATION, A NEAR MISS AND AN INCIDENT?
HSE Observations - Proactive
Input
Near Miss
( reactive output)
Incident
( reactive output)
An HSSE conversation based on
observation which has resulted from
a planned event/decision by the
instigator to engage an individual. It
should result in commendation or
locally agreed resolution. Typically
pre-planned and can be applied to
any HSSE theme. These may
include unsafe acts, unsafe
conditions or positive reinforcement.
An undesired event, that under
slightly different circumstances could
have resulted in harm to people,
damage to the environment / property
or loss to process
An undesired event, that results in
harm to people, damage to the
environment / property or loss to
process
Reporting and Action Responsibilities
ALL ACTIONS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AND CLOSED BY
REPORTING DEPARTMENT

10. EXAMPLE - SAFETY
TRANSPORTATION OF PERSONNEL BY COMPANY CAR BETWEEN SITES & TRAIN INCIDENT
CONVERSATION WITH DRIVER PRIOR TO JOURNEY ABOUT APPROACH TO
SEATBELTS AND MOBILE PHONES. DRIVER AGREES TO ENSURE PERSONNEL USE
SEAT BELTS AND CONFIRMS THAT HE WON’T USE MOBILE WHILE DRIVING.
CONVERSATION WITH THE TRAIN DRIVER ABOUT THE ISSUE.
ONE TO ONE
CONVERSATION
DURING JOURNEY DRIVER TAKES CALL ON MOBILE PHONE AND IS ASKED TO END
THE CALL.
TRAIN DRIVER CONTINUES TO DRIVE THROUGH THE RED LIGHT AS A KNOWN
PROBLEM AND MANAGEMENT ISSUE.
UNSAFE ACT
DRIVER DOES NOT HEAR OR IGNORES INSTRUCTION AND CONTINUES WITH CALL.
SHORTLY AFTER THE DRIVER DOES NOT SEE A MOTOR CYCLIST IN THE ROAD AND
HAS TO SWERVE AT THE LAST MINUTE.
CARS OR PEOPLE HAVING TO STOP WHEN THEY SAW THE TRAIN COMING.
NEAR MISS
DRIVER DOES NOT SEE MOTOR CYCLIST AND HITS REAR OF MOTOR BIKE WITH
FRONT NEAR SIDE OF THE CAR RESULTING IN INJURY TO RIDER.
TRAIN RUNS THROUGH RED LIGHT WITH CAR ON TRACKS & 31 PEOPLE DIED IN
THE CRASH.
INCIDENT

11. NEAR MISS RESPONSE
AFTER EXPERIENCING A NEAR MISS THE USUAL
RESPONSE IS TO DUST YOURSELF OFF,
CONSIDER YOURSELF LUCKY AND CARRY ON
WITH YOUR WORK WITHOUT REPORTING
THE INCIDENT.
SAFETY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH LUCK

12. As With Many Aspects Of Workplace
Safety, The Application Of A Formal
Procedure Is Key To Achieving The Goal
Of
ZERO LOST TIME INCIDENTS.
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NEAR MISS REPORTING