Which statement best describes a near-miss?

Which statement best describes a near-miss?

• A. A documented hazard that has not resulted in any incident.
• B. An incident with minor injuries.
• C. A near-miss is any reported hazard.
• D. An incident that could have caused injury but did not.

Answer: (D)

A near-miss is an event where harm was narrowly avoided. It happens when something almost causes injury or damage, but due to luck, timing, or safeguards, no one is hurt and no damage occurs. This concept focuses on the close call itself—the moment where things could have gone wrong but didn’t—so it serves as a warning to fix gaps before an actual injury occurs. That’s why the best description is an incident that could have caused injury but did not. It’s not just a hazard observed without an incident, and it’s not an event that produced injuries. It’s specifically about the near outcome—what almost happened, which signals a safety improvement opportunity.

A near-miss is an event where harm was narrowly avoided. It happens when something almost causes injury or damage, but due to luck, timing, or safeguards, no one is hurt and no damage occurs. This concept focuses on the close call itself—the moment where things could have gone wrong but didn’t—so it serves as a warning to fix gaps before an actual injury occurs.

That’s why the best description is an incident that could have caused injury but did not. It’s not just a hazard observed without an incident, and it’s not an event that produced injuries. It’s specifically about the near outcome—what almost happened, which signals a safety improvement opportunity.