Which is incorrect regarding employee hazard reporting programs?

• A. They are voluntary
• B. They are confidential
• C. They require mandatory reporting
• D. They encourage near-miss reporting

Answer: (C)

Employee hazard reporting programs are designed to openly capture hazards and near-misses to prevent injuries and losses. They rely on voluntary participation, and the identity of the reporter is kept confidential to reduce fear of retaliation and encourage honest reporting. Near-miss reports are actively encouraged because they reveal potential problems before any harm occurs, allowing corrective actions to be taken and safety gaps to be addressed. The statement that reporting is mandatory runs counter to how these programs operate, since making reporting compulsory would undermine the voluntary, trust-based culture that helps people speak up. Some regulatory requirements outside the program may mandate certain incident reporting, but within the program itself the default is voluntary rather than mandatory.