Report a hazard or near miss incident using the Hazard or Near Miss Report.
A near miss incident is an incident in which no property was damaged or personal injury was sustained, but where given a slight shift in time or position, damage or injury could have occurred. A hazard is anything (e.g., chemicals, moving vehicles, etc.) that can hurt any person (cause injury), make them sick (illness) or cause property damage. Hazards may otherwise include anything that poses risk to the health, safety, or condition of any person or thing.
Near miss incidents are caused by the presence of a hazard that poses actual or potential risk. Reporting hazards is essential for the creation and maintenance of a safe campus by ensuring proper follow-up is taken and controls are implemented.
Examples of Hazards
- Biological - bacteria, viruses, fungi, insects, plants and animals.
- Chemical - depends on the physical, chemical, and toxic properties of the product.
- Ergonomic - repetitive movements, improper set up of workstations, etc.
- Physical - radiation, magnetic fields, temperature extremes, pressure extremes, noise, vibration, etc.
- Psychosocial - stress, harassment, etc.
- Safety - slipping or tripping hazards, inappropriate machine guarding, equipment malfunctions or breakdowns.
Learn more about hazard identification and examples on the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) website.
Examples of Near Miss incidents may include:
- Slipping on an icy sidewalk, but catching yourself before falling or sustaining injury.
- Damage to a piece of equipment is identified just before use (e.g., missing guard on a saw).
- A lit cigarette is dropped in the garbage, but burns out before a fire could start.
- Someone loses their balance on a ladder, but catches themselves before falling.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact healthandsafety@trentu.ca