2.2 Hazard vs.Near Miss Vs Accident

Scene: Workshop Floor – Liza and John Back in Conversation

[Machines humming softly in the background. Liza and John stand near a safety bulletin board.]

John:
Hey Liza, I saw a poster about “reporting near misses” next to actual accidents. I’m kind of confused. How are near misses, hazards, and accidents different? Aren’t they all just bad things that happen?

Liza:
Great question—and no, they’re not the same. But they’re all connected, and understanding the difference helps prevent injuries and damage.

Liza -
1. What is Hazard

A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm.

Example:
An oil spill on the shop floor. No one’s slipped yet—but it’s a risk.

Liza:
Think of a hazard as the loaded gun. It hasn’t gone off—but it could.


2. What is Near Miss (Close Call)?

An unplanned, uncontrolled incident which has a potential to cause but not resulted into Physical injury or death
or
Damage to plant, equipment or the environment, is called as Near Miss.

Example:
You walk across the shop floor, slip on the oil—but catch your balance and don’t fall.

John:
So, it was close, but nothing actually happened?

Liza:
Exactly. But it still needs to be reported so the hazard can be fixed.

⸻
3. What is Potential Incident?

Any unsafe condition or unsafe act which can cause Near Miss or Accident is called as Potential Incident.

Observation of Potential Incidents and its reporting is a proactive Safety
measure. It can prevent all types of potential losses to an organisation and hence, it’s a key indicator of strong safety culture.

Example - A worker walks through a marked forklift zone instead of using the designated safe walkway.
 
Or working not using safe pedestrian walkway rather using road
 
4. What is an Accident?

An unplanned, uncontrolled incident which has resulted in Physical injury or death.
or
Damage to plant, equipment or the environment, is called as Accident.

Example:
Someone else walks across that same oil spill, slips, falls, and breaks their wrist.

John:
So an accident is what happens when the hazard isn’t caught in time?

Liza:
Yes. Most accidents occur when hazards or near misses not reported and hence, no corrective actions taken..

⸻

The Chain of Events

[Visual: A funnel or triangle labeled Hazard → Near Miss → Accident]
• Hazard: The risk exists
• Near Miss: The risk almost causes harm
• Accident: The risk becomes real harm

Liza:
It’s like a warning system. The more near misses we report and fix, the fewer actual accidents we’ll have.

Scene Closer
John:
Alright, I get it now—hazards are the potential source, near misses are the warning, and accidents are the consequence.
On screen

Check the PDF table

Liza:
Exactly. If we all spot and speak up early, we stop the cycle before someone gets hurt.
John
Thank you Liza for the wonderful explanation.