How should a near-miss be documented after it occurs?

• A. Ignore.
• B. Only inform supervisor verbally.
• C. Report the near-miss, record details, and initiate investigation.
• D. Wait for a full accident.

Answer: (C)

Near-miss events are early warnings that something in the system could lead to harm, so the proper action is to document what happened, capture all relevant details, and start an investigation. Recording what occurred, where and when it happened, who was involved, the sequence of events, equipment and conditions, and any witnesses creates a traceable record. Initiating an investigation helps identify root causes and contributing factors, leading to corrective actions that prevent repetition and improve overall safety. Merely ignoring it or relying on a verbal heads-up doesn’t create a usable record or trigger analysis. Waiting for a full accident ignores the value of learning from near misses and allows underlying issues to persist.