What is defined as a near miss in the context of workplace safety?

In the context of workplace safety, a near miss is specifically defined as an unplanned event that does not result in injury or damage but has the potential to do so. This definition highlights the importance of identifying near misses as crucial opportunities for improving safety practices. Recognizing and analyzing near misses helps organizations to proactively address potential hazards before they result in actual harm or damage.

For instance, if a worker slips on a wet floor but regains their balance without falling, this incident is a near miss. Although no injury occurred, the situation indicates a slip hazard that should be mitigated to prevent future occurrences.

The other choices do not capture the essence of what constitutes a near miss. A minor injury that does not require medical attention, while it involves an injury, does not reflect the aspect of potential risk without consequence. Significant property damage indicates that a serious incident has already occurred, which means it's beyond the scope of a near miss. Lastly, a scenario that leads directly to policy changes may be a result of more severe incidents or trends but does not directly define a near miss itself. Thus, the correct choice effectively encapsulates the proactive aspect of near misses within workplace safety.