Which one of the following is correct with respect to incident in the context of construction safety?
- ADangerous or unpleasant situation from which someone just manages to escape
- BDisruption in the normal or smooth flow of work that involves an injury, property loss, damaged equipment, work stoppage, etc.Correct
- CUnsafe physical condition that could lead to an injury, accident, or loss
- DPotential for loss resulting from a given action, activity or inaction
Solution
Concept
Definitions: incident, near miss, hazard and risk
Step-by-step solution
1. Near miss: a dangerous situation from which someone narrowly escapes (a). 2. Hazard: an unsafe physical condition that could lead to injury (c). 3. Risk: potential for loss from an action or inaction (d). 4. Incident: an event that disrupts normal work and involves injury, damage or stoppage (b).
Explanation
In construction safety terms an incident is an actual event that causes injury, damage or work stoppage. The other options define a near miss, a hazard and a risk.
Why the other options are wrong
(a) is a near miss, (c) is a hazard and (d) is a risk.
Shortcut
Near miss = escaped; hazard = source of harm; risk = potential loss; incident = it happened.
Common mistake
Choosing near miss.
Correct answer: B) Disruption in the normal or smooth flow of work that involves an injury, property loss, damaged equipment, work stoppage, etc.