What are near misses?

Near misses refer to incidents where an injury, accident, or negative outcome nearly occurred but was avoided, often due to luck or last-minute intervention. In the context of risk management, these are important indicators of potential hazards that could lead to more severe consequences if unaddressed.

Here are specific domains where the concept of near misses is discussed:

1. Risk Management in Manufacturing:

   • Near misses are seen as precursors to more serious incidents. The pyramid of risk describes a structure where many near misses lie at the base, escalating to fewer minor incidents and even fewer major accidents or fatal incidents at the top. Paying attention to near misses can help in adjusting risky behaviors before they lead to actual harm 1.

2. Medical Field:

   • In healthcare, near misses are recognized as errors or mishaps that almost resulted in patient harm. They are considered opportunities to improve safety protocols and prevent future errors 2.

3. Casinos and Psychology:

   • The term is also used in the context of gambling, particularly slot machines, where near misses (like almost hitting a jackpot) are programmed to encourage continued play, exploiting human psychology to engage and retain attention 3.
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       Risk Awareness

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       2

       Medical Errors

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       3

       The Power of Near Misses

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       4

       Nuclear Near Misses

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4. Nuclear Safety:

   • Several incidents in history, such as false alarms due to misinterpreted signals, have been classified as near misses in nuclear protocols, highlighting the precarious nature of nuclear weapon management 4.

Understanding and addressing near misses across various sectors can significantly contribute to preventing actual disasters and improving safety standards.