Near Miss!!

Questions for Discussion

NEAR MISS!!

How many times have you shrugged off a near miss?  Never gave it a second thought?  Next time, think twice. The difference between a near miss and an accident often is a fraction of a second or an inch. And when it happens again, that difference may not be there.  

WE NEVER KNOW WHEN THE SERIOUS INJURY IS NEXT

One study shows that for every 330 incidents of the same type, 300 produce no injuries, 29 produce minor injuries and one produces a major injury. (Of course, these statistics vary with the job being done.) The problem is we never know which time the major injury will occur. Near misses are warnings. If we heed these warnings and look for causes, we may be able to prevent injury or damage. 

HERE'S AN EXAMPLE

You're going up a walkway into a building. Your foot slips.  Being agile and empty handed, you regain your balance with no harm done. Another person comes along. He slips, but his reactions are a little slower than yours. To keep from falling, he jumps off the board.  Again no harm done. Then comes a third person carrying a load. He has the same experience, but falls off the board with the load on top of him. He breaks his ankle. Two warnings were ignored. Finally, someone was hurt. Now the loose cleat, sand, or mud on the board is discovered and the condition is corrected. We've locked the barn after the horse has been stolen. Two of us saw the thief lurking around, but failed to take action! 
WHENEVER YOU SEE A NEAR MISS, ASK "WHY?"

Suppose you're walking toward a suspended mason's scaffold. You see a brick fall,  but hear no warning shout. Ask yourself: "Why did it fall? Was it kicked loose? Was a toe board missing?" Then correct this condition if possible. If not, report it to someone who can. 

KEEP THE RIGHT ATTITUDE

Never take the attitude that a miss is as good as a mile. The next time, it may be the last mile for you or a fellow worker. 


Near Misses Reported in February

An employee was moving a piece of plywood in a muddy area. The employee slipped slightly, but caught himself while holding the plywood. He sustained no injury. 

The jobsite was reassessed and there was a change in location for unloading the plywood. They used a flatter area and were more careful with their footing.

A small length, 5ft of 12in pipe, fell off a 30in jack stand because of the uneven weight from a flange being put on. 

We have now implemented a new jack system that puts two studs in the flange faces, not allowing it to fall freely if the base jack would fail.

Two individuals entered a blue and white commissioning barricade that was clearly posted “no entry without permit”. They openly violated this mandate and were terminated and escorted from the project. 

Job-site safety meetings were set up to communicate the dangers of entering these barricades without approval. Example: pressure testing, chemicals being introduced into area, etc.

The contractor was working in a transformer with no LOTO. 

Work was stopped and we performed LOTO and reviewed the procedure with a stand down. Management was notified and instructed employees on LOTO protocol.

The contractor stated the line was not energized because jumpers were not installed up the line which was in line of sight. 

The contractor was instructed on all equipment that could possibly become energized. LOTO will be utilized no matter how mundane it might seem at the time—it's a procedure to do always.

Employees were in a bell hole without prior inspection. 

Work was stopped and employees were coached on bell hole inspection and entry. The bell hole was inspected and work resumed.

Employees working near a heavily traveled road were not wearing reflective vests. 

We called for a Safety Stand Down and informed the Superintendent on the project that policy is to wear reflective vests when working near the road. It was explained to all hands the potential dangers and risks of working near roads, especially high traffic areas.


February Winners

Platinum – Chuck Moss
Gold – David Holbrook
Silver- Randy Watson
Bronze – John Leon
Bronze – Darlene Nix
Bronze – Kirk Miller

             
  
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