Near-Miss Incidents and Proactive Approaches in Occupational Safety
Introduction
When you witness a moment where an accident is narrowly avoided by just seconds or by sheer chance, you are observing a "near-miss" event.
What sets a near-miss apart from an actual accident is that the serious consequences have not yet materialized.
Near-miss incidents are crucial for accurately identifying potential risks and implementing effective preventive measures.
In this context, we will examine examples of near-miss incidents in 2024, where workplace accidents were narrowly prevented. By doing so, we aim to gain valuable insights into potential risks and highlight the critical importance of reporting and effectively managing these risks in a timely manner.
Near-Miss Examples of 2024
Incident 1: A survey for the planned deployment of the Submarine Rescue Bell was conducted by towing the equipment with a tugboat to the open waters of the Sea of Marmara (Adalar). During the process of lowering the bell into the sea with the ship's crane, it was determined that the preventive measures in place to prevent the bell from hitting the ship were insufficient. Furthermore, the ship and diver operations posed safety risks. As a result, the operation was halted.
A near-miss report was made concerning the collision and injury risks, and the company proceeded with the operation only after ensuring that the working environment was made safe.
Evaluation: The risk assessment conducted prior to the operation played a crucial role in ensuring workplace safety. The early identification of collision risks demonstrates a proactive approach to safety. Given the severity of the risk, halting the operation highlights the priority given to safety. Additionally, the decision to suspend the operation until a safe working environment was secured underscores the employer's commitment to prioritizing employee safety and taking responsibility to prevent accidents.
This incident further emphasizes the critical importance of strengthening a safety culture through management support and proactively managing risks to ensure safe operations.
Incident 2: As part of the inspection of the fire protection system of the surveyed vessel, the engine room, where painting work was ongoing, was visited. Due to the painting process, the floor coverings of the walkway had been removed, and workers were required to wear shoe covers.
Evaluation: When the risks in the work area are assessed as a whole, it should be considered that the painting operations in the engine room may lead to the accumulation of chemical substances or gases, creating a fire hazard. Additionally, wearing shoe covers during work and the absence of flooring on the walkway may cause hazards such as slipping, falling, injuries, and restricted mobility, thereby increasing the overall risks in the work environment.
After evaluating the risks comprehensively, specific measures should be taken for each hazard factor to ensure a safe working environment. For example, providing an alternative walkway can help reduce some of the risks in the work area and contribute to overall safety. The risks associated with painting activities should be assessed separately, and specific precautions should be implemented accordingly.
As seen in this example, if multiple tasks are being performed in the same area or if hazards arise from different sources, a multiple work permit system should be applied. The risks of the work to be carried out should be evaluated holistically, and special measures should be determined to eliminate the hazards that cause these risks.
Incident 3: During an inspection of the surveyed ship, while heading to the engine control room, it was observed that the steps of the staircase used to transition from the upper deck to the lower deck had a small amount of rasping dust, the descent angle of the staircase was too steep, and the step surface was narrow. As a result, while slipping, the individual managed to grab onto the ship's hull at the last moment, preventing a fall.
Evaluation: The blasting dust on the ladder steps increases the risk of slipping and indicates a lack of cleaning and maintenance. The steep incline of the ladder and the narrowness of the steps are other factors that increase the risk of falling. As a result of the incident, although injury was prevented by a quick grip, the potential risk of injury should not be overlooked.
Regular cleaning and maintenance of the ladders would have eliminated some of the hazards encountered in this incident and reduced the overall risk level. However, due to a lack of proper communication and effective inspection activities, no proactive measures were taken regarding the ladder.
This incident once again highlights the importance of safety reporting. Factors that make the work environment unsafe should be continuously reported to the responsible personnel, and these reports should be analyzed. Near-miss reports are a critical step in preventing similar incidents in the future. Furthermore, feedback from employees must be considered, relevant areas should be continuously monitored, and occupational safety standards should be regularly reviewed.
Incident 4: During the survey, a generator load test was conducted using a water-type load bank. While the area around the water-type load bank was secured with a "Do Not Enter" tape, the electrical pole to which the tape was attached was knocked over by a mobile crane, causing it to fall onto the load bank. Sparks from the electrical source were observed around the water-type load bank during this incident.
Evaluation: In shipyards, load banks for electrical load testing are typically used inside the ship, making it difficult to monitor the load bank area. The water-type load bank, in addition to the risks posed by falling objects, also presents a risk of electrical shock to workers. Furthermore, as it operates with a seawater recirculation system, the circulating water must be returned to the sea, and the area must not be left wet. Effective safety measures should be implemented around the load bank, with proper signage and warning tape securely placed. Tests should only be conducted under the supervision of qualified personnel.
Additionally, due to the activities of the mobile crane, the electrical risks are further compounded by the dangers arising from the crane's movements.
As the number of hazards in the work area increases, the combination of these hazards creates a rising risk, which can rapidly elevate the overall risk level. Consequently, environments that are expected to be safe may become prone to accidents and injuries.
As seen in this example, although the hazardous area was marked with warning tape, this measure proved ineffective. In environments where complex activities are being carried out simultaneously, risks should be assessed by comparing them to one another. Detailed and stringent measures must be taken.
The near-miss incident demonstrates that the area around the load bank was not adequately secured, and the safety measures in place did not address all the risks.
In such operations, work permits must be thoroughly reviewed by the authorities, and work should not begin until the environment is confirmed to be safe. Furthermore, training and raising awareness about the hazards in the working environment should be a priority for employees.
Incident 5: During the survey, a near-miss incident occurred when a crew member, descending the staircase to the lower deck of the ship, attempted to hold onto a bar beneath a portable fan in the stairwell. The bar was not welded to the deck, causing it to slip and the fan to fall. A serious injury was narrowly avoided.
Evaluation: The improper placement of the portable fan indicates that the necessary safety precautions were not taken. Additionally, the risks associated with using the stairwell and the presence of the fan in this area should also be assessed. Stairs and walkways should be covered with non-slip materials, regularly cleaned, and properly maintained. Any damage should be repaired immediately. Furthermore, stairwells should be adequately illuminated, kept clear of obstructions that could hinder movement, and equipped with clearly visible warning signs. Objects that pose a risk of falling, as in this case, should be securely fixed.
The fact that a potentially hazardous situation was narrowly avoided highlights the possibility of more severe consequences in similar future incidents
CONCLUSION
Near-miss incidents highlight the role of comprehensive risk assessments, preventive measures, and continuous safety training in preventing workplace accidents. Providing a safe working environment, properly securing hazardous areas, ensuring correct equipment usage, and taking measures considering the potential for risks to combine from different sources are crucial for accident prevention. Furthermore, strengthening the safety culture and training employees should be a key focus for ensuring safer operations.
