Quick Take on Safety: Reporting Injuries and Near Misses

A Quick Take on Safety is a script that serve as a short safety talks to remind staff about safe work practices. This Quick Take focuses on the importance of timely reporting of injuries, near misses and other hazards.

Quick Takes on Safety:

• Help keep safety in the forefront of employees’ minds.
• Demonstrate the employer’s commitment to safety and encouraging a culture of safety.
• Offers an opportunity for employees to ask questions, discuss safety concerns and develop solutions to specific issues while encouraging communication.

Overview: Discusses the importance of timely reporting of injuries, near misses and other hazards.

Purpose: Inform employees about the negative consequences of not reporting so as to improve communication and reduce injuries.

Preparation:

• Read and become familiar with this Quick Take. Change as needed to reflect procedures and personnel in your department.
• Review and become familiar with hazard and injury reporting procedures within your organization.

Notes:

• Many people avoid reporting injuries due to concerns about having to take unpaid time off for recovery or cover the costs associated ith medical care should workers’ compensation be denied. Much of this is outside the control of supervisors or management; however, being familiar with sick leave and paid time off options and including them briefly in the training can help alert employees to options about which they may not have been aware.
• Consider other obstacles to communication within the organization and make plans to address them prior to giving this training.