Near miss reporting is an important part of workplace health and safety management. While near misses do not result in injury, illness or damage, they often highlight hazards that could have caused a more serious incident under slightly different circumstances.
Businesses that actively identify and report near misses can often address problems before they lead to accidents, injuries or enforcement action.
This guide explains what near miss reporting is, why it matters, how it supports workplace safety and how businesses can create an effective reporting process.
This information is general guidance and should not be considered legal advice.
A near miss is an unplanned event that had the potential to cause injury, illness, damage or loss but did not result in harm on that occasion.
In simple terms, a near miss is often described as a "close call".
Although nobody is injured, the circumstances indicate that a future accident could occur if the underlying issue is not addressed.
| Type of Incident | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Near miss | No injury, illness or damage occurred |
| Accident | An injury, illness or damage occurred |
| Dangerous occurrence | Specific serious incidents that may require reporting under RIDDOR |
Near misses provide valuable opportunities to identify hazards before they result in accidents.
See RIDDOR Explained.
Many workplace accidents are preceded by earlier warning signs. A near miss may reveal weaknesses in procedures, equipment, training or workplace conditions.
By identifying and addressing these issues early, businesses may reduce the likelihood of future incidents.
Benefits of near miss reporting include:
Near misses can occur in almost any workplace environment.
| Near Miss Example | Potential Consequence |
|---|---|
| Employee slips but regains balance | Possible fall injury |
| Object falls from shelving but misses staff | Head injury or impact injury |
| Forklift narrowly avoids collision | Vehicle accident |
| Electrical cable creates trip hazard | Fall or injury |
| Chemical container leaks without exposure | Chemical injury or contamination |
| Fire exit temporarily obstructed | Emergency evacuation difficulties |
Although no injury occurs in these examples, each incident highlights a hazard that should be addressed.
Most near misses are not legally reportable to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
However, businesses should still record and investigate relevant incidents internally where appropriate.
Certain serious events may fall within RIDDOR reporting requirements if they meet the criteria for a reportable dangerous occurrence.
See RIDDOR Explained.
Every workplace should have a clear process for reporting near misses.
A typical process may include:
The process should be simple enough that employees are encouraged to report concerns promptly.
Near miss records should capture sufficient information to allow meaningful review and investigation.
Typical information may include:
Reporting alone is not enough. The greatest value comes from understanding why the event occurred and preventing recurrence.
Investigations should focus on identifying root causes rather than assigning blame.
Common areas to examine include:
See Workplace First Aid Risk Assessment.
Near miss reports can provide valuable information when reviewing workplace risk assessments.
If multiple near misses occur involving the same hazard, this may indicate that existing control measures are not sufficiently effective.
Businesses should review risk assessments following significant incidents or emerging patterns.
Near miss reporting can also support first aid planning.
For example, repeated reports involving slips, manual handling or vehicle movement may indicate the need to review first aid provision, emergency procedures or staff training.
See HSE First Aid Needs Assessment Explained.
Employees are more likely to report near misses when they feel comfortable raising concerns.
Businesses should encourage reporting as a learning opportunity rather than treating reports as evidence of failure.
A positive reporting culture may help identify hazards earlier and improve overall workplace safety performance.
Inspectors may consider how businesses identify, manage and learn from hazards.
Organisations that actively monitor near misses often demonstrate stronger health and safety management systems than those that only react after accidents occur.
See HSE First Aid Inspection Guide.
Near misses should not be ignored simply because nobody was injured.
They often provide valuable warning signs that can help prevent future accidents, injuries and workplace disruption.
Effective reporting, investigation and follow-up actions can help businesses strengthen workplace safety and improve overall risk management.
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