How Reporting Near Misses Can Help Prevent Workplace Accidents and Injuries in North Carolina

Workplace Accidents and Injuries in North Carolina

At the Ramsay Law Firm, P.A., our Charlotte workers’ compensation attorneys have settled complicated personal injury claims, litigated denied workers’ compensation claims, and won monetary damages for hundreds of clients throughout North Carolina.

Our workers’ compensation attorneys in Mecklenburg County have over 60 years of combined experience and are fully committed to giving a voice to the injured. One way we do that is by encouraging employees to report workplace safety issues before they can cause injuries or fatalities that change lives.

That includes highlighting the importance of reporting near misses. Also called close calls or unplanned incidents that do not result in injury, illness, or damage but have the potential to do so.

Reporting near misses is essential for identifying potential hazards and improving workplace safety, so all workers can make it home safely at the end of the day.

Reporting Near Misses Help Employers Identify and Correct Potential Hazards

When a close call happens in any North Carolina workplace, it provides the opportunity to warn the employer that something is amiss. These reports can help indicate an existing safety measure may need to be reviewed or new ones implemented before an actual incident occurs.

Upon receipt of these reports, organizations can investigate the underlying causes and take corrective actions to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

Reporting near misses can also:

• Improve safety culture, open communication, and empower employees to take ownership of safety.
• Reduce costs associated with accidents, such as property damage, lost productivity, and workers’ compensation claims.
• Comply with regulatory requirements related to safety and health.
• Foster continuous improvement in processes and procedures, leading to a safer and more efficient workplace.

Although reporting near misses in the workplace has the potential to increase safety measures and avoid accidents, there are multiple reasons why workers do not do so every time a close call occurs.

They may include, but are not limited to:

• Feeling that admitting to a near miss is an admission of incompetence or carelessness.
• Fearing repercussions in the form of disciplinary action from their employers — like being “written up” or the report leading to a negative impact during their performance review — and/or being singled out, shamed, or criticized for their role in the incident by their coworkers.
• Misunderstanding the definition of a near miss, believing only injurious accidents must be reported.
• Lacking awareness about the importance of reporting these incidents and their potential consequences.
• Unclear reporting procedures, or the belief that their report will not be taken seriously or that no action will be taken.
• Feeling that taking the time to report an incident could negatively impact their productivity or that of their colleagues.
• Underestimating the benefits of identifying underlying hazards that need to be addressed to prevent future accidents.
• Insufficient training that all near misses must be reported.
• Assuming another employee will report the incident.

Reporting near misses is essential for identifying potential hazards and improving workplace safety. Both employers and employees throughout North Carolina should promote reporting policies that allow open communication that keeps everyone on the premises safe today and going forward.

Have You Been Injured at Work in North Carolina?

Our dedicated Charlotte workers’ compensation law firm provides free consultations to all employees who have suffered a workplace injury in North Carolina by calling 704-376-1616 or contacting us online.

A Voice For The Injured. Here Every Step of The Way.