Traditional safety metrics like TRIR and DART are lagging indicators—they tell you what already happened. While valuable for benchmarking, they don't help predict or prevent future incidents. Leading indicators fill this gap.

Leading indicators measure activities that drive safety outcomes. Examples include near-miss reporting rates, training completion percentages, inspection frequency, and corrective action closure rates. These metrics can predict future performance.

Effective leading indicator programs start with identifying activities that most influence outcomes in your specific operation. What works for a manufacturing plant may differ from what works at a construction site. Customize your metrics.

Balance is essential. Too many leading indicators creates data overload; too few provides insufficient insight. Select 5-7 key indicators that leadership reviews regularly and uses to drive decisions.

Connect leading and lagging indicators to demonstrate relationships. When training completion improves and incident rates subsequently decrease, that connection validates your leading indicator selection and reinforces the importance of preventive activities.