In a near-miss safety situation, what steps should the employer take?

• A. Do nothing until an incident occurs
• B. Inform the workers but take no further action
• C. The unsafe situation must be investigated, and the investigation must include a written report
• D. Remove the site from service for the day

Answer: (C)

When a near-miss occurs, address it by investigating the unsafe situation to uncover what allowed the close call to happen. The goal is to identify root causes and contributing factors, such as faulty equipment, gaps in procedures, insufficient training, or environmental conditions, so you can prevent a real injury later.

This investigation should be written in a report that clearly describes what happened, who was involved, what hazards were found, the findings about why it happened, and the corrective actions needed. A written record helps assign responsibility, set timelines, track progress, and serve as evidence of due diligence. After documenting, put the corrective actions in place, share the changes with workers, and follow up to make sure the fixes are effective.

Doing nothing ignores risk and leaves hazards unaddressed, informing workers without taking action leaves the problem unresolved, and removing the site from service for a day, while sometimes helpful, does not alone ensure causes are identified or that lasting improvements are put in place.