Associate Safety Professional Practice Exam

What type of error involves an omission or neglect to act?

1. Commission

2. Omission

3. Sequence

4. Timing

The correct answer is: Omission

The term "omission" refers specifically to a failure to act when action is required. This type of error occurs when an individual neglects to perform a necessary step or complete a task that could prevent an adverse outcome. In safety practice, such omissions can lead to significant hazards, as they indicate a lapse in following protocols or taking preventative measures. This focus on neglecting duty or action makes the concept of omission crucial in understanding how lapses in procedure can impact overall safety and risk management. In contrast to omission, a commission represents an active error where a wrong action is taken. Sequence errors pertain to the incorrect order of operations, and timing errors involve actions being taken too early or too late in a process. While these other types of errors are significant, they do not specifically convey the idea of failing to act, which is why "omission" stands out as the appropriate choice for this question.