Safety Management: Near Miss Identification, Recognition, and Investigation (Workplace Safety, Risk Management, and Industrial Hygiene)

''Identification and investigation of ''near-miss'' incidents can be the difference between avoiding and suffering a drastic, loss-producing accident. This book provides a step-by-step program on how to develop a ''near-miss'' incident program in the workplace to isolate and eliminate root causes, heal systemic weaknesses, and instill safety management systems before an accident occurs. Focusing on the successes of such safety systems at two large copper mines, numerous diverse industries, and an aluminum smelter, it includes several examples and case studies to clarify the investigative philosophy and preventive application of ''near-miss'' incidents''-- ''Research over the years has indicated that before a loss-producing accident occurs there are many warnings in the form of near miss incidents which often go unheeded. This book shows how by identifying the near miss incidents and investigating them in an effort to identify and eliminate the root causes, subsequent accidents can be prevented. Focusing on the near misses gives organizations the opportunity to identify weaknesses in the safety management systems before an accident occurs rather than after the event''-- Read more... Content: Introduction Clearing the Confusion Minor Injury Is Not a Near Miss Incident Near Miss Incidents Accidents versus Near Miss Incidents Accidents, Near Miss Incidents, and Injuries Definitions: Injuries and Diseases Accident Sequence A Measure of Safety Conclusion The Safety Philosophy behind Near Miss Incidents Introduction Tracking Near Miss Incidents Near Miss-or Near Hit? Benefits Examples of Near Miss Incidents Red Flags A Gift Precursors to Accidents Heed the Warnings High Potential for Loss Facts about Near Miss Incidents Contact (Energy Exchange) Types Business Interruption The Accident Ratios The Accident Ratio Conclusion Preventative Opportunities Immediate Accident Causes Traditional Research Exchange of Energy and Contact Injury, Damage, or Loss Conclusion Safety Management Functions That Relate to Near Miss Incidents Introduction Management Leadership Positive Behavior Reinforcement What Is a Manager? Basic Management Functions Safety Management Principles Relating to Near Miss Incidents Professional Safety Management Principles Safety Management Principles Safety Success viz-a-viz Management Leadership Conclusion Near Miss Incidents, Myths and Safety Paradigms No Injury-No Accident (No Blood, No Foul) Why Injuries Are Seen as ''Safety'' Damage Accident Ratios Risk Assessment Iceberg Effect Near Miss Incidents Aren't Important: A Paradigm Injury-Free Culture Near Miss Incidents Not Reported Warnings in Advance Luck Factors Space Shuttle Columbia Conclusion Safety and Health Policies Introduction Safety and Health Policy Conclusion Near Miss Incident Risk Management and Assessment Introduction The Risk Management Process Risk Assessment Risk Control Safety Management Control Risk Ranking of Near Miss Incidents Conclusion Safety Auditing Introduction Reasons for Audits Benefits of Audits How Does an Audit Work? Who Should Conduct Audits? The Audit Program How to Do an Audit Inspection Internationally Accepted Audit-Based Safety Systems Conclusion Near Miss Incident and Accident Recall Introduction Reporting A Matter of Luck Recalling the Near Miss Incident Benefits of Near Miss Incident Recall Benefits of Accident Recall Precontact and Postcontact Activities Discipline Methods of Recall Major Loss Briefing Safety Stand Down Accident Recall Aids Acting upon Near Miss Incident Recall Risk Assessment Conclusion How to Motivate for Safety Introduction Motivation Create the Right Environment The Hawthorne Effect Foundation of Motivationxi Contents The Ten Rules of Safety Motivation Pushing the String Implementing a Near Miss Incident System: Introduction How to Make It Happen Observations Recognizing Reported Safe Work Safety Suggestions and Recommendations Constraints Understanding Benefits Buy-In Reporting No Names Resistance to Change Barriers to Reporting Long-Time Employee Implementing a Near Miss Incident Reporting System: Implementaion Setting the Standard What Are Critical Safety and Health System Elements? Safety and Health Management System (Program) Implementing a Near Miss Incident Reporting System: Follow Up Introduction Reporting System Follow Up Main Requirements Conclusion Investigating High Potential Near Miss Incidents No Difference Purpose Accident/Near Miss Incident Investigation Facts Postcontact versus Precontact Potential Losses and Risk Ranking of Probabilities Benefits of Accident and Near Miss Incident Investigation Principle of Multiple Causes Principle of Definition The Golden Rule of Accident and Near Miss Incident Investigation Who Should Investigate? Investigation Form Near Miss Incident/Accident Investigation Procedure Lost Opportunities Conclusion Summary Safety in the Shadows Summary of the Book Conclusion References Index Abstract: ''Identification and investigation of ''near-miss'' incidents can be the difference between avoiding and suffering a drastic, loss-producing accident. This book provides a step-by-step program on how to develop a ''near-miss'' incident program in the workplace to isolate and eliminate root causes, heal systemic weaknesses, and instill safety management systems before an accident occurs. Focusing on the successes of such safety systems at two large copper mines, numerous diverse industries, and an aluminum smelter, it includes several examples and case studies to clarify the investigative philosophy and preventive application of ''near-miss'' incidents''-- ''Research over the years has indicated that before a loss-producing accident occurs there are many warnings in the form of near miss incidents which often go unheeded. This book shows how by identifying the near miss incidents and investigating them in an effort to identify and eliminate the root causes, subsequent accidents can be prevented. Focusing on the near misses gives organizations the opportunity to identify weaknesses in the safety management systems before an accident occurs rather than after the event'' Close calls, narrow escapes, or near hits. History has shown repeatedly that these "near-miss" incidents often precede loss producing events, but are largely ignored or go unreported because nothing (no injury, damage or loss) happened. Thus, many opportunities to prevent the accidents that the organization has not yet had are lost. Recognizing and reporting "near-miss" incidents can make a major difference to the safety of workers within organizations. Supported by more than 30 years of international safety experience and research, Safety Near Miss Identification, Recognition, and Investigation discusses the safety philosophy behind "near-miss" incidents and clearly demonstrates the accident sequence showing the Three Luck Factors that determine the outcome of the event. The author highlights the fortuity of the event and how a simple risk assessment can be used to identify the causes of the event and rectify them. He also explains the management functions of safety and how they relate to "near-miss" incidents. "Near-miss" incidents are truly the foundation of major injuries, the building blocks of accidents, and warning signs that loss is imminent. They can also form the impetus for proactive, preventative actions. This book explores how to implement a "near-miss" incident identification, recognition, investigation, and rectification program. "Identification and investigation of "near-miss" incidents can be the difference between avoiding and suffering a drastic, loss-producing accident. This book provides a step-by-step program on how to develop a "near-miss" incident program in the workplace to isolate and eliminate root causes, heal systemic weaknesses, and instill safety management systems before an accident occurs. Focusing on the successes of such safety systems at two large copper mines, numerous diverse industries, and an aluminum smelter, it includes several examples and case studies to clarify the investigative philosophy and preventive application of "near-miss" incidents"-- Provided by publisher "Research over the years has indicated that before a loss-producing accident occurs there are many warnings in the form of near miss incidents which often go unheeded. This book shows how by identifying the near miss incidents and investigating them in an effort to identify and eliminate the root causes, subsequent accidents can be prevented. Focusing on the near misses gives organizations the opportunity to identify weaknesses in the safety management systems before an accident occurs rather than after the event"-- Provided by publisher