NEAR-MISSES reporting

NEAR-MISSES reporting

NEAR-MISSES reporting

ISM Code section 9.1 states “The SMS should include procedures ensuring that non-conformities, accidents and hazardous situations are reported to the Company, investigated and analysed with the objective of improving safety and pollution prevention.”

Extract from the IMO “Guidance on near-misses reporting” – Annex to MSC-MEPC.7 Circ.7:

► Companies should investigate near misses as a regulatory requirement under the “Hazardous Occurrences” part of the ISM Code
► Investigating near misses is an integral component of continuous improvement in safety management systems
► A “just culture” features an atmosphere of responsible behaviour and trust whereby people are encouraged to provide essential safety-related information without fear of retribution
► It is a crucial requirement that the company clearly define the circumstances in which it will guarantee a non-punitive outcome and confidentiality
► The company shall provide training and information about its approach to “just culture” near-misses reporting and investigation for all persons involved

Defining near-miss:
A sequence of events and/or conditions that could have resulted in loss. This loss was prevented only by a fortuitous break in the chain of events and/or conditions. The potential loss could be human injury, environmental damage, or negative business impact (e.g., repair or replacement costs, scheduling delays, contract violations, loss of reputation).

Main topics found in this circular are:

► Introduction
► Definition
► Overcoming barriers to reporting near-miss
► The near-miss investigation process
Gathering near-miss information
Analysing information
Identifying casual factors
Developing and implementing recommendations
► Completing the investigation

For more detailed information please consult the full text of the IMO Circular here:

Source: IMO