Date of Conferral

3-10-2026

Degree

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

School

Health Sciences

Advisor

Richard Jimenez

Abstract

Near miss incidents in the construction industry, when reported, serve as critical indicators of safety performance. When reported, organizations can identify hazards early and reduce the incidence of injuries and illnesses. Limited research exists on how construction workers perceive near miss incidents and how they are influenced to report them. Semi-structured audio-recorded interviews with 15 Texas-based construction workers in three cities about their lived experiences with near-miss reporting were conducted between July 18 and August 22, 2025. Data were organized using NVivo software and analyzed according to the phenomenological procedures outlined by Burns et al. and the qualitative analysis guidance provided by Patton. The theory of planned behavior provided a conceptual framework for understanding workers’ reporting behaviors. The participants were unable to provide a specific definition of what constitutes a near miss and did not believe that all near misses should be reported, thereby missing an opportunity to investigate and implement corrective actions to prevent injuries and illnesses. Many believed that the severity of the event determined reporting action, but also potentially succumbed to peer and supervisory pressure not to report. Additionally, many felt that employers fell short in defining a near miss and in near miss reporting. Lastly, building a culture of near miss reporting requires intentional efforts, including communication improvements, by employers and their assigned supervisors. The potential positive social change impact of this study is an increase in near miss reporting rates among construction workers, resulting in decreased associated morbidity and mortality because of errors and accidents.

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