Key Performance Indicators

(lead & lag indicators)

Accidents are not the only indicator as to how an organisation is performing in terms of health and safety. In fact, by simply looking at accident data and information, important aspects of safety performance can be missed. A better measure is to consider all types of incidents that have occurred, including "near-misses". An even better method of analysing health and safety performance is to consider BOTH proactive and reactive measures.

A very effective method of looking at proactive and reactive measures is to install a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) scheme into the safety management system. Such a scheme relies on the use of "lead" and "lag" indicators. The following are examples of these indicators:

Lead Indicators:

• Management visits to the worksite (for health and safety purposes)
• Scheduled safety inspections by line management
• Scheduled inspections by workforce representatives
• Audits of risk assessments
• Audits of permit-to-work systems
• Audits of tool-box talks
• Scheduled behavioural safety tours
• Scheduled safety sampling
• Close-out of incident corrective actions
• Close-out of STOP and Hazard Observations

Lag Indicators:

• Near-miss data (unless it is closed-out)
• Non Lost Time Incidents · Lost Time Incidents
• Failure to close-out incident corrective actions
• STOP or Hazard Observations (unless they are closed-out)

At NGT Safety Management Ltd, we have developed a KPI scheme, which is based on a set of lead & lag indicators. The scheme is easy to use and forms a representative way of looking at health and safety management performance within an organisation. The scheme is designed with simplicity in mind, yet allows graphical representation of health and safety performance. This is ideal for Board meetings and safety committee meetings. It is also useful to show clients when tendering for contracts.

If you would like to develop a KPI system for your organisation, or would like further details, please contact us.