The Hidden Danger of Near Misses in the Workplace

At Worksafe Indonesia, we believe that safety is not just about preventing accidents, but also about recognizing and acting on early warning signs. One of the most overlooked warning signs is the near miss an incident that almost caused harm but, fortunately, did not.
Ignoring near misses can lead to devastating consequences in the future.

What is a Near Miss?

A near miss is an unplanned event that could have resulted in injury, illness, or damage, but did not — either by chance or through timely intervention.

Examples of near misses include:

• A worker slipping on a wet floor but regaining balance.

• A heavy tool falling but missing a worker.

• A forklift almost hitting a pedestrian due to poor visibility.

Although no one was hurt and nothing was damaged, a near miss signals a serious underlying risk that must be addressed.

Why Are Near Misses Dangerous?

1. They Indicate Underlying Hazards

   • Every near miss reveals gaps in procedures, equipment maintenance, or worker behavior.

2. They Increase the Likelihood of Future Accidents

   • If the root causes are not corrected, it’s only a matter of time before a real accident occurs.

3. They Foster a False Sense of Security

   • Ignoring near misses can create complacency, making workers believe unsafe conditions are acceptable.

4. They Waste Valuable Safety Insights

   • Each near miss is an opportunity to learn and improve — failing to act wastes that chance.

Consequences of Ignoring Near Misses

🚫 Serious injuries or fatalities
🚫 Equipment and property damage
🚫 Operational disruptions
🚫 Financial losses
🚫 Damage to company reputation

How to Properly Handle Near Misses

✅ Encourage Immediate Reporting

• Foster a culture where employees feel safe and responsible for reporting near misses without fear of blame.

✅ Investigate Thoroughly

• Analyze every near miss to find the root causes, not just the symptoms.

✅ Implement Corrective Actions

• Fix hazards, update procedures, and provide additional training if necessary.

✅ Communicate Findings

• Share lessons learned from near misses with all employees to build collective awareness.

✅ Monitor and Follow Up

• Ensure that corrective actions are effective and prevent recurrence.

Conclusion

A near miss is a gift — an early warning without the pain of an actual accident.
Every near miss reported and acted upon brings a workplace one step closer to true safety.

At Worksafe Indonesia, we advocate for proactive safety practices.
Recognize near misses. Respond to near misses. Reduce future risks.

Keep Safe. Be Safe!!