Near Misses in Manufacturing KPIs

Safety is integral to the effective operation of a manufacturing facility, and a critical safety Key Performance Indicator (KPI) is Near Misses.

Overview

In the context of manufacturing, Near Misses refers to incidents that could have resulted in injury, illness, or property damage, but didn't—mainly owing to chance. Tracking Near Misses is crucial because they reflect potential weaknesses or hazards in your safety procedures and can offer proactive opportunities to improve workplace safety before any actual harm occurs.

This KPI is pivotal because it helps preemptively identify and address safety issues, thereby mitigating risks, enhancing worker welfare, and enhancing operational efficiency. Plus, a proactive approach to navigating Near Misses can foster an open safety culture where workers are encouraged to flag potential issues without fear of repercussions.

Calculation

To calculate Near Misses, you simply need to track the number of near-miss incidents. This requires a system where workers can easily and promptly report these incidents. However, due to the nature of near misses (no actual harm having occurred), they can often go unreported, hence fostering an environment that encourages reporting is key.

The tracking of Near Misses is usually:

Near Misses = Total number of near-miss incidents reported

The total number of near-miss incidents reported refers to the count of all incidents that could have resulted in injury, illness, or damage, but did not, within a given period.

By tracking and investigating Near Misses, manufacturers can proactively manage potential risks and strengthen their safety protocols. However, it's essential to foster a culture where workers feel safe to report such incidents, and the focus should be on learning and improvement, not blame. This can truly make the Near Misses KPI a tool for continuous safety improvement.