What term describes an event in which property damage or injury is narrowly avoided?

The term that best describes an event in which property damage or injury is narrowly avoided is "near miss." This concept is typically used in safety management and risk assessment contexts to highlight situations where an incident was imminent but did not result in actual harm or loss. Understanding near misses is crucial because analyzing these events can help organizations improve safety protocols and prevent future accidents.

In contrast, "accident" refers to an unforeseen event that results in damage or injury, which is not applicable here since the event did not result in actual harm. "Close call" is often used synonymously with near miss but is less formal and may not be as widely used in official safety protocols. Lastly, "incident" is a broad term that encompasses any event that can disrupt normal operations, which includes accidents and near misses, but does not specifically pinpoint the narrowly avoided damage or injury aspect of the situation. Thus, near miss accurately captures the essence of a situation where safety was maintained despite potential danger.