How do near-misses differ from incidents, and why are near-misses important?

• A. A near-miss always leads to injury.
• B. A near-miss could have caused harm but did not; near-misses help identify weaknesses before injuries occur.
• C. Near-misses are irrelevant to safety.
• D. Near-misses occur only in manufacturing.

Answer: (B)

A near-miss is an event where harm could have occurred but didn’t, so it serves as a warning sign about gaps in safety controls, procedures, or training. They’re important because studying these close calls helps identify weaknesses before anyone is injured, allowing you to strengthen barriers, adjust procedures, and provide targeted improvements. This proactive focus is what makes near-misses valuable for safety management. In contrast, an incident involves actual harm or damage, which is why near-misses are sought after as opportunities to prevent future injuries. Near-misses can happen in any setting and aren’t limited to manufacturing.