Which scenario describes an occurrence that could have led to injury, but fortunately did not?

A close call refers to a situation where an incident could have resulted in injury or damage but ultimately did not. This term is often used in safety contexts to identify instances where safety protocols may need to be reviewed, as they serve as warnings for potential future risks. Recognizing and analyzing close calls can be critical in preventing actual accidents, helping organizations improve their safety measures.

In contrast, terms like mishap, accident, or lucky break imply that an injury or damage either occurred or was narrowly avoided in a more ambiguous way. A mishap typically indicates some form of unintended event but doesn’t necessarily highlight the potential for harm as clearly as a close call does. An accident involves unintended consequences that typically result in damage or injury. A lucky break, though it might suggest a fortunate outcome, lacks the specific connotation of risk that a close call conveys. Overall, the specificity of the term "close call" makes it particularly useful in safety discussions to highlight incidents with potential danger that were successfully avoided.