What term is defined as an unplanned single or series of events causing death, injury or damage?

• A. Mishap
• B. Hazard
• C. Accident
• D. Incident

Answer: (A)

A mishap is the unplanned event or sequence of events that leads to death, injury, illness, or damage. The emphasis is on the unplanned nature and the actual harm or loss that results, whether it happens in a single incident or over a chain of events. In Navy safety terminology, this is the formal term used for such occurrences and for the reporting and investigation that follow. A hazard is a condition with the potential to cause harm, not an actual event. An incident is a broader term that can cover events without injury or damage. An accident is a common term, but the safety language here uses mishap to precisely describe the defined category of unplanned events with harmful outcomes.