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SAFETY FOCUS

Close Call Reporting

By: Dale Wilson, Field Safety Specialist

Close call reporting is an indicator of how well the operation is doing and is essential for communicating where weak
points are and sharing where the strong points are when things are working right. Close call reporting is about learning
from others and being proactive rather than being surprised when a critical life event happens to you or one of our
team members.

What is a Close Call?

A “Close Call” is an incident that had the potential to result in injury, illness, damage, or release to the environment.
Only a fortunate break in the chain of events prevented further consequences.

Have you ever found yourself saying, “WOW! That was close.” You may not even realize that a Close Call has oc-
curred, but some other party might have observed the event.

What are some examples of Close Calls?

 Leaving a piece of equipment unsecured.
 Striking a derail without derailing.

Why is Reporting Close Calls Important?

It is estimated that for every serious injury reported, that there
are ten minor injuries, 30 property damage incidents, and 600
Close Calls where no harm or damage occurred. Close Calls are
zero-cost learning tools in terms of human lives and property
damage compared to actual injury or property loss.

Your Close Call report will make the work environment safer for you and your coworkers because it produces in-
formation that could not otherwise be obtained. Reporting will help other workgroups heighten their awareness of
the safety issue to prevent similar incidents from occurring. The information you provide will also enable us to im-
prove our safety program, thereby improving our overall safety performance.

Get in-gaged by taking the
time to share your close call
so others can learn and do
something to change the
course.

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