Which of the following would be considered a gross negligence?

Gross negligence refers to a serious and reckless disregard for the safety and well-being of individuals, often resulting in significant harm. In this context, the correct choice, which involves a failure to follow established safety procedures that leads to harm, exemplifies gross negligence because it indicates a blatant disregard for the safety measures that are in place to prevent accidents and injuries.

This choice highlights a critical aspect of workplace safety: established procedures are designed to protect everyone from foreseeable dangers. When an individual fails to adhere to these procedures, it signifies not just a minor lapse in judgment but a substantial failure to consider the potential consequences of their actions. Such negligence goes beyond ordinary oversight and enters the realm of serious misconduct that can have dangerous repercussions.

The other options describe situations that, while concerning, do not reach the threshold of gross negligence. Minor oversights and inadvertent errors, for example, are generally viewed as less severe and can often be corrected without catastrophic outcomes. Recommending unsafe practices can be serious, but it may not directly equate to gross negligence if there is no immediate harmful consequence tied to that recommendation.