When it comes to workplace safety, minor safety incidents and near-misses are often dismissed as inconsequential. However, those small accidents and near-misses can serve as critical warning signs to more severe safety incidents, similar to the “canary in the coal mine” detecting danger before workers sense it themselves.
By paying attention to these early warnings and regularly reviewing OSHA records, businesses can proactively address potential hazards before they escalate into serious injuries.
As an agent, this is a hugely impactful topic to discuss with your clients. Grab this free resource to send to your clients (and prospects) to educate them on the topic plus how you can help: The Canary in the Coal Mine of Workplace Safety.
Leading indicators vs. lagging indicators
Workplaces tend to take drastic action after a fatality or other serious injury occurs. Lost workday incidents also tend to get examined after the fact due to their outsized impact on work comp premiums and surcharges.
However, fatalities and serious injuries are lagging indicators of safety concerns, after something tragic has happened. Substantial research over many decades shows a direct correlation between minor incidents (leading indicators) and more severe injuries.
One study found that for every serious disabling workplace injury, there are:
-
- 10+ incidents that result in lost time
-
- Hundreds of minor incidents or near-misses
-
- And thousands of unsafe work practices or workplace hazards
Treat near-misses like early warning signs
Near-misses are incidents that could have resulted in injury or damage but did not, often due to a combination of luck and immediate corrective actions. While no actual harm occurs, the conditions that allowed the near-miss to happen still exist and can lead to future accidents, as the data above shows.
Treating near-misses with the same seriousness as actual injuries can reveal hazardous patterns and prevent severe incidents. Minor incidents and near-misses are the “canary in the coal mine” for workplace safety.
For example, if an employee slips on a wet floor but catches themselves without falling, it should be noted and investigated as diligently as if they had fallen and injured themselves. This approach can uncover underlying issues such as inadequate floor maintenance, insufficient signage, or poor housekeeping practices.
How to help as an agent
Educate your clients (and prospects) on the connection between minor and severe workplace incidents with this free resource: The Canary in the Coal Mine of Workplace Safety.
Additionally, assist them with the following steps to help them build a prevent-first safety culture:
-
- Encourage Reporting: Foster a workplace culture where employees feel comfortable reporting all safety incidents, including near-misses and hazardous conditions. This requires creating an environment where safety is prioritized, and employees are not afraid of repercussions for reporting.
- Regular Audits: Conduct regular audits of OSHA logs to identify trends and recurring issues. This proactive review can pinpoint areas that need immediate attention.
- Investigate Near-Misses: Treat near-misses with the same rigor as actual incidents. Conduct thorough investigations to understand the root causes and implement corrective actions.
- Implement Preventive Measures: Based on the findings from audits and investigations, take preventive measures to mitigate risks. This could include additional safety training, updated safety protocols or equipment upgrades.
- Continuous Improvement: Safety is an ongoing process. Continuously review and improve safety practices based on new data and feedback from employees.
