See it, report it, fix it: Why near-miss reporting drives mission success

Every day, across our global network of Distribution Centers, Defense Logistics Agency Distribution executes a mission critical to the readiness and lethality of the American warfighter. Whether you are operating Material Handling Equipment, palletizing materiel or processing shipments, your work directly supports our national defense. It is a mission that accepts no substitute for excellence, and excellence begins with safety.

We cannot afford to view safety as a secondary task; it is an operational imperative. A near-miss in a warehouse aisle, a narrowly avoided injury on the loading dock or a moment of procedural deviation that thankfully results in no harm -these are not "lucky breaks." These are critical leading indicators and are actionable intelligence pointing toward a weakness in our processes, a gap in our training or a hazard we have not yet mitigated.

For every recordable mishap that takes a teammate out of the fight and impacts our workflow, there are countless unreported "close calls" that preceded it. To ignore these unreported incidents is to invite mission failure. Each unreported near-miss is a missed opportunity to harden our operations and prevent a future incident that could result in serious injury and degrade our ability to support the warfighter.

What should you report?

• Near misses: An event that did not result in injury, illness or damage, but had the potential to do so. For example, tripping over a loose cord but catching yourself before you fall.
• Unsafe acts: Actions that deviate from standard safety procedures, like using a tool improperly or not wearing required personal protective equipment.
• Unsafe conditions: Any hazardous condition in the workplace, such as a blocked emergency exit, poor lighting, or faulty machinery.
• Mishaps and minor injuries: Even small incidents should be reported. This ensures you get any necessary medical attention and helps the company track and address the cause.

The advantages of a robust near-miss reporting system extend beyond the obvious moral imperative to protect our workers. Organizations that successfully implement these programs often see a range of benefits, including:

• Mishap prevention: By addressing the root causes of near-misses, we can proactively mitigate risks and prevent future accidents.
• Increased employee engagement: Involving employees in the safety process fosters a sense of ownership and shared responsibility for creating a safe work environment.
• Improved operational efficiency: A safer workplace is a more productive one with fewer interruptions and delays caused by accidents.
• Regulatory compliance and cost savings: Proactively identifying and correcting hazards helps regulatory compliance and reduced costs associated with accidents.

A safe Distribution Center is an effective and resilient Distribution Center. Proactive hazard identification reduces stand-downs, protects our most valuable asset, our people, and ensures the uninterrupted flow of material to the warfighter.

Your diligence on the warehouse floor is the first line of defense against mishaps. The success of our mission and the well-being of your teammates depend on your vigilance.

See it. Report it. Fix it. Let's get after it.