Most farmers have experienced a moment that almost went wrong, a close call that, with slightly different timing or conditions, could have caused a serious injury. Near misses often pass without immediate consequences, but they should never be dismissed.
Every near miss is a sign that something in the system isn’t working as it should, and it needs to be identified and addressed immediately. In a high-risk environment like farming, where work is physical, fast-paced, and often carried out alone, responding to near misses promptly can prevent them from becoming serious incidents.
This year’s National Farm Safety Week theme, “Second Chances – Who Knows How Many You’ll Get?” highlights just how critical it is to treat these moments as opportunities for change.
Turning a Near Miss into Action:
1. Record It
Treat near misses like any other safety incident. Write down what happened, who was involved, when and where it occurred, and what factors contributed. Creating a record helps identify patterns and supports better decision-making.
2. Review It
Take time to investigate the root cause. Was it due to fatigue, unclear instructions, poor equipment condition, or an environmental hazard? Understanding why the near miss occurred is key to preventing it from happening again.
3. Respond to It
Act on what you’ve learned. Update your procedures, fix faulty equipment, review inductions, or invest in additional training where needed. Even minor changes can make a meaningful difference.
4. Raise It
Share near misses during toolbox talks or team meetings. Encouraging open reporting helps foster a proactive safety culture where your team feels confident to speak up, allowing issues to be addressed before they lead to harm.
Creating a Safer Farm, One Lesson at a Time
Near misses are a critical part of any risk management system. They highlight gaps before they lead to injuries, but only if they are taken seriously.
If you’re unsure where to begin, ProcessWorxAg can help with:
- On-site safety audits
- Induction and training support
- Risk assessments tailored to agricultural operations
ProcessWorxShield makes it simple to stay on top of safety. You can use the platform to report hazards, near misses, and incidents in real-time, helping you stay compliant and respond quickly before something more serious happens.
Don’t wait for the next incident to be the one that causes harm. Use every close call as a reminder to strengthen your systems and protect your people.
At ProcessWorx, we are committed to helping farms strengthen their Work Health & Safety practices. If you’d like to learn how ProcessWorx can assist with Human Resources or Work Health & Safety, please contact us on 08 9316 9896 or enquiries@processworx.com.au. Also watch an Introduction to ProcessWorx.
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