Why is reporting a near miss important?

• A. To assign blame to workers.
• B. To identify hazards before injuries occur.
• C. To determine pay raises.
• D. To fulfill an annual rumor mill.

Answer: (B)

Reporting near misses focuses on preventing injuries by catching hazards before harm occurs. A near miss is an event that could have caused harm but didn’t, often because of luck or effective controls that happened to work this time. When such events are shared, safety professionals can investigate to uncover root causes—unsafe conditions, faulty equipment, or gaps in procedures—and implement corrective actions before a real injury happens. This proactive approach uses the information to improve risk controls, adjust training, and refine work practices, helping the workplace become safer over time. It also builds a culture where people feel encouraged to speak up about risks rather than hiding them. Blame, pay incentives, or treating it as gossip do not fit the goal, since the focus is on learning and preventing harm.