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near-miss - Definition & Meaning | Logistics Glossary

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GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026

near-miss

A near-miss is an unplanned event in which a hazardous condition existed but caused no injury or damage – often prevented only by quick reaction or chance.

Quick Answer

A near-miss is an unplanned event in which a hazardous condition existed but caused no injury or damage – often prevented only by quick reaction or chance.

In logistics and transport, examples include a forklift narrowly avoiding a pedestrian, an unsecured load caught before it shifts, or a driver braking in time for an unexpected obstacle.

The operational value of near-misses lies in what they reveal: process weaknesses, equipment deficiencies, or unsafe behaviors that would otherwise only surface after a real accident.

Last updated: 26 June 2026Published: 27 January 2026

Source: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/safetyhealth/near-miss/near-miss.html

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Definition & Explanation

A near-miss is an unplanned event in which a hazardous condition existed but caused no injury or damage – often prevented only by quick reaction or chance. In logistics and transport, examples include a forklift narrowly avoiding a pedestrian, an unsecured load caught before it shifts, or a driver braking in time for an unexpected obstacle. The operational value of near-misses lies in what they reveal: process weaknesses, equipment deficiencies, or unsafe behaviors that would otherwise only surface after a real accident. Systematic near-miss reporting and analysis is a cornerstone of occupational safety management and is explicitly required by frameworks such as ISO 45001. Effective programs depend on a reporting culture where employees are encouraged rather than penalized for disclosing incidents.

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Recommended format: Source: Freight Academy – near-miss (https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/near-miss), accessed 2026-09-13
APA style: Freight Academy Editorial Team. (2026). near-miss. Freight Academy. https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/near-miss
BibTeX: @misc{nearmiss2026, title = {near-miss}, author = {{Freight Academy Editorial Team}}, year = {2026}, url = {https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/near-miss}, note = {Freight Academy, accessed 2026-09-13} }

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