As a result of decreasing near miss reports, we're considering the possibility of a simple near miss report card which takes less time for people to fill in than the usual form. The concerns from the top are that people will use these for 'mischief' and that, if we allow the forms to be submitted anonymously, it will be difficult to investigate. I was hoping some of you may have used this system (or similar) and may be able to let me know your experiences. I don't believe that people will report silly things on the cards (just to cause trouble) and feel that someone who remains anonymous may report something that otherwise would go unreported as being trivial or petty. Any feedback from people with such a system would be gratefully received.

You just need a robust investigation and screening regime and then it doesn't matter what is reported as you can filter the pointless stuff out. To get around this problem in the past, I have used an incentivised scheme - (the report that leads to the best improvement for safety gets a safety related prize) Then to screen reports the Safety reps opened the box with reports (reports could be anonymous) and read them first. if they were silly or trivial they could be closed at this point. the rest were reviewed and actioned by team leaders, if they thought it serious enough for investigation via a formal approach it was passed to line manager to action. All reports, trivial / silly or not were recorded and action logged against them (even if that read closed by safety rep) these were then discussed at Safety meetings. it was interesting to see some of the ones closed as trivial repetaed on a regular basis... maybe not so trivial with hind-site :) ) I did have issues with people reporting incidents on these forms, but at least they are reported and followed up by a manager (who can get the correct paper work) I also agree with Ray, I don't think the system will be abused and it's better to discard information than never get it at all!! good luck

In total agreement with what others have said. yes you will get a few "trying it on" but filter those out and the benefits of the genuine ones will out weigh the time lost on those. Brian

Can't say I've ever considered such a move, so thanks for sharing this. That said, I'm not sure about this. Why are your reports decreasing? Being as you're going for an anonymous type of report, I guess the 'blame' thing is in there somewhere. Also, the timesaving may be a slippery slope towards dumbing down the whole reporting system (e.g. "we don't have to fill in all that paperwork for near misses"). Fully support looking for new ways etc. but have my doubts about this.

I think this post says it all, Marcus. The real enemy is that management attitude so, for me, any tinkering with the reporting system will have very little positive effect. It's too late for that stuff.

I can't agree with that, whilst there is still work to be done with management (generally specific people), making near miss reporting and reporting of minor hazardous issues a bit easier for people is still worth doing IMHO.

BAA use them and are slightly bigger than a credit card. Tickbox type to indicate basics of the observation wth room for comments - easy to carry in the pocket, behind a pass or keep in a desk tidy.

For those with an interest the confidential reports would often result in an article variously titled "I learnt about flying (or whatever) from that"!, with comments by Spry http://www.raf.mod.uk/ra...318_A81019921CF3F852.pdf http://www.raf.mod.uk/ra...318_A8201FB9880B9749.pdf

only rewarding the best suggestions can lead people to believe that it is pointless reporting smaller problems.