Which statement defines a mishap?

• A. An unplanned event that causes death, injury or serious damage to equipment.
• B. An unplanned event that causes minor nuisance but no damage.
• C. A planned maintenance action.
• D. An event that is deliberately harmful.

Answer: (A)

A mishap is an unplanned event that results in death, injury, or serious damage to equipment. This definition captures both the spontaneity of the event and the severity of the outcome, which is why the statement fits best: it describes an unplanned occurrence that leads to a major consequence. The other scenarios don’t meet the threshold: a minor nuisance with no damage isn’t a mishap, a planned maintenance action is intentional, and an event that is deliberately harmful is also intentional rather than unplanned. In some safety contexts, a near-miss is unplanned and could have caused harm but didn’t, so it wouldn’t be classified as a mishap under this definition.