What are leading indicators typically characterized as?

Leading indicators are characterized as proactive measures that are used to predict and improve future safety performance. They focus on activities and practices that can prevent incidents before they occur rather than reacting to events after they have happened. This proactive approach allows organizations to identify potential hazards, manage risks effectively, and foster a culture of safety among employees by emphasizing prevention.

For example, leading indicators may include the number of safety training sessions conducted, the existence of safety audits, and the implementation of safety protocols. By measuring these proactive steps, organizations can take corrective actions early and continuously improve their safety processes, thereby reducing the likelihood of future accidents and injuries.

In contrast, reactive measures measure outcomes after incidents occur, short-term responses focus on immediate actions rather than long-term improvement, and statistical analyses often involve the study of past performance data without necessarily indicating future risks.