A near miss is an unplanned event that did not result in injury, ill health, damage or loss, but had the potential to do so.
Near-miss reports from Somerset schools have highlighted recurring issues involving pupils climbing onto roofs, fences and other structures, leaving school sites without permission, access-control weaknesses and supervision arrangements. Reports have also identified incidents involving aggression, threats and objects being thrown.
These reports provide valuable early warnings. Although nobody may have been harmed on that occasion, the event can reveal a hazard or weakness in existing control measures that needs to be addressed.
Examples of school near misses could include:
- a pupil climbing onto a roof or other structure without falling
- a pupil leaving the school site and entering an area where there is moving traffic
- an object falling close to a pupil or member of staff without striking them
- damaged play equipment being identified before it causes an injury
- a pupil attempting to eat potentially harmful berries before a member of staff intervenes
Somerset’s school incident data has identified climbing, absconding, access control and supervision as recurring near-miss themes.
What should schools report?
Schools should record significant accidents, violent incidents and near misses involving employees, pupils, contractors or visitors in the Accident Reporting section of EEC. Minor playground bumps and grazes would not normally need to be entered on EEC where they have been appropriately recorded in the school’s local accident or bump book.
Examples include:
- Accidents: Significant work-related injuries or incidents involving employees, pupils, visitors or contractors.
- Near misses: Events where nobody was harmed, but there was a realistic potential for injury, ill health, damage or loss.
- Violence and aggression: Physical assaults, threats, abuse or other work-related incidents that cause concern or make an employee feel unsafe.
What should happen after a near miss?
Reporting the event is only the first step. Schools should also:
- make the immediate area or activity safe
- establish what happened and why
- review the relevant risk assessment
- check whether existing control measures were followed and remain suitable
- identify any additional action required
- record who is responsible for completing each action
- share relevant learning with employees
- monitor for similar events or recurring patterns
How to report an incident
Schools may use the incident data collection form to gather the necessary information before entering the report online.
Significant accidents, incidents and near misses should be entered into EEC as soon as possible. Prompt and sufficiently detailed reporting enables the Health and Safety Service to identify trends, provide advice and determine whether further action may be required.
RIDDOR reporting
Most incidents occurring in schools or during school visits are not reportable to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR). An incident is only reportable where it arises out of or in connection with work and meets the relevant RIDDOR criteria.
For local authority maintained schools, the Somerset Council Health and Safety Service reviews reports recorded in EEC and determines whether an incident requires notification to the HSE.
Voluntary aided and foundation schools are responsible for submitting their own RIDDOR reports. The Health and Safety Service can provide advice where the incident has been recorded on EEC.
Why reporting matters
Do not wait for an accident before taking action. Reporting and investigating near misses helps schools:
- identify hazards and emerging risks
- prevent similar events from happening again
- review whether risk assessments and controls remain suitable
- identify recurring patterns
- share learning and good practice
- protect pupils, employees, contractors and visitors
Every meaningful near-miss report provides an opportunity to act before someone is harmed.
Training for EEC
Guidance on completing accident, incident, or near miss reports
