Near Miss
Moravian University strived to provide the safest working and living environment for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors, there are times which a near miss happens,. While nobody is hurt, it can lead to a potential issue later on. OSHA defines a near miss as a potential hazard or incident which no property was damaged and no personal injury was sustained, but where, given a slight shift in time or position, damage or injury easily could have occurs. Near misses also may be referred to as close calls, near accidents, or injury-free events.
Anytime a near miss happens, it should be reported immediately using the Safety & Hazard Form.
Near Misses fall under two major categories as defined by OSHA:
Unsafe Conditions:
- Inadequate Guards
- Unguarded Hazards
- Defective Safety Devices
- Defective Tools or Equipment
- Hazardous Workstation Layout
- Unsafe Lighting
- Unsafe Ventilation
- Lack of Needed/Required PPE
- Unsafe Clothing
- No or Insufficient Training
Unsafe Acts:
- Operating a Vehicle, Device, or Machinery without Authorization
- Operating at an Unsafe Speed
- Servicing Equipment Without Cutting Power
- Making a Safety Device Inoperative
- Using Defective Equipment
- Using Equipment in an Unapproved Way
- Unsafe Lifting
- Taking an Unsafe Position or Posture
- Inappropiate Behavior such as Distractions, Horseplay, Teasing Leading to an Unsafe Act
- Failure to Wear PPE
- Failure to Use Available Equipment and Tools