How should incidents and near-misses be reported?

• A. Immediately to supervisor per policy, document details, and follow any required investigation.
• B. Report incidents only after a formal meeting.
• C. Email all crew at the end of the day.
• D. Ignore minor near-misses.

Answer: (A)

Prompt, structured reporting is the backbone of preventing repeats. Incidents and near-misses should be reported to your supervisor right away, following the policy in place. This immediate notification ensures the right people can start the investigation and take early actions to control any hazards.

When you report, document the details clearly: what happened, when and where it occurred, who was involved and who witnessed it, any equipment or substances involved, and any injuries or property damage. Include environmental conditions and sequence of events. Then follow the required investigation steps outlined in the policy, such as gathering facts, identifying root causes, and outlining corrective actions to prevent recurrence. This builds a factual record you can use to improve safety and track whether fixes are completed.

Delaying reporting until a formal meeting, emailing the entire crew, or ignoring minor near-misses miss opportunities to address hazards before they cause harm. Prompt reporting supports a nonpunitive, learning-focused safety culture and helps keep everyone safer.