Near misses and close calls: what they are, why OSHA encourages reporting and investigating them, root causes instead of blame, incentive programs that must not discourage reporting, protection from retaliation and the forklift refresher after a near miss. Free practice quiz with instant feedback; every explanation cites its source on osha.gov or in 29 CFR. Independent review material: not affiliated with or endorsed by OSHA, and it does not replace your employer's own reporting procedure.
Question 1 · Single choice · 90s · 1 pt
A pallet falls from a rack and lands a few feet from a worker, who is not hurt. What is this event?
- A close call, also called a near miss
- Nothing worth mentioning, since nobody was hurt
- A recordable injury for the OSHA 300 Log
- An event to report to OSHA within 8 hours
Question 2 · True / False · 90s · 1 pt
OSHA strongly encourages employers to investigate close calls, not only incidents in which a worker was hurt.
Question 3 · Single choice · 90s · 1 pt
What should an incident or near miss investigation focus on, according to OSHA?
- Finding the worker who was careless
- Closing the file as quickly as possible
- Deciding who pays for the damage
- Root causes, not fault or blame
Question 4 · Multiple choice · 90s · 1 pt
OSHA's recommended practices ask for a process where workers can report which of these? Choose the 3 correct answers.
- Injuries and illnesses
- Close calls and near misses
- Hazards and other safety concerns
- Only events with property damage over $1,000
Question 5 · Single choice · 90s · 1 pt
Why do OSHA's recommended practices suggest an anonymous reporting option?
- Because names may never be recorded anywhere
- To avoid having to respond to the report
- To reduce the fear of reprisal
- Because it is required by every state law
Question 6 · True / False · 90s · 1 pt
A near miss in which nobody was injured or made ill is recorded on the OSHA 300 Log.
Question 7 · Single choice · 90s · 1 pt
A forklift operator is involved in a near-miss incident. What does OSHA's forklift standard require?
- Nothing, because nobody was hurt
- Refresher training for the operator
- A written warning in the operator's file
- A new driver's license from the state
Question 8 · Single choice · 90s · 1 pt
Your company rewards workers who report near misses and hazards. How does OSHA see this kind of incentive?
- Always permissible
- Forbidden under the recordkeeping rule
- Allowed only with a union agreement
- Allowed only for supervisors
Question 9 · Single choice · 90s · 1 pt
What must any safety incentive program avoid, according to OSHA?
- Giving prizes worth more than $50 to one person
- Rewarding whole teams instead of individuals
- Running the same program for over a month
- Discouraging the reporting of injuries
Question 10 · True / False · 90s · 1 pt
An employer may set a reporting procedure so complicated that most workers give up on reporting.
Question 11 · Single choice · 90s · 1 pt
Besides reporting injuries, which action does section 11(c) of the OSH Act also protect?
- Refusing all overtime without notice
- Skipping required PPE training
- Filing a safety and health complaint
- Posting company records online
Question 12 · Single choice · 90s · 1 pt
Under section 11(c) of the OSH Act, how long does an employee have to file a retaliation complaint with OSHA?
- 7 days after the violation
- 30 days after the violation
- 180 days after the violation
- 1 year after the violation