Safety Performance Indicators Examples: Measuring What Matters

Safety is the only job where success looks like nothing happened. No injuries, no fires, no lawsuits. But “nothing happened” doesn’t look great on a quarterly report. To prove your value and predict future risks, you need data. That is where safety performance indicators examples become your best friend.

You can’t manage what you don’t measure. But are you measuring the right things? If you are only looking at injury rates, you are driving while looking in the rearview mirror. This guide breaks down the best safety performance indicators examples—both leading and lagging—to help you build a dashboard that actually prevents accidents.

The Old Way: Lagging Indicators (The Rearview Mirror)

Lagging indicators measure failure. They tell you what has already gone wrong. While they are required for compliance, relying on them alone is dangerous because the damage is already done.

Common Lagging Indicator Examples:

• Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR): The standard OSHA metric for injuries per 100 employees.
• Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred (DART): Measures the severity of injuries by tracking lost time.
• Workers’ Compensation Costs: The direct financial impact of past accidents.
• Experience Modification Rate (EMR): Used by insurance companies to price your premiums based on past claims.

(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics – Workplace Injury Data)

The Smart Way: Leading Indicators (The Windshield)

Leading indicators measure prevention. They track the proactive steps you take to stop an accident before it happens. OSHA strongly recommends shifting focus here to improve safety culture.

Powerful Leading Safety Performance Indicators Examples:

1. Near-Miss Reporting Rate

What it is: The number of “close calls” reported by employees. Why it matters: A high number here is actually good. It means your culture is transparent, and people aren’t afraid to speak up. Every near-miss reported is a potential accident you just dodged.

2. Safety Training Completion Rate

What it is: The percentage of required training courses completed on time. Why it matters: Knowledge is your first line of defense. If this number drops, your risk exposure skyrockets. (Pro tip: Use a tool like WAVE to track this automatically).

3. Safety Audit Frequency & Score

What it is: How often you inspect the facility and the average score of those inspections. Why it matters: Regular inspections catch hazards like frayed wires or blocked exits before they cause harm.

4. Employee Participation in Safety Committees

What it is: The percentage of your workforce actively involved in safety meetings or committees. Why it matters: Engagement predicts compliance. If people are involved in the process, they are more likely to follow the rules.

5. Maintenance Schedule Compliance

What it is: The percentage of preventative maintenance tasks completed on time. Why it matters: Equipment failure is a major cause of injury. Tracking this connects your maintenance team directly to your safety goals.

How to Track These Without Admin Overload

The biggest barrier to tracking leading indicators is the paperwork. If you are trying to track near-misses and training percentages in Excel, you will burn out.

Smart safety leaders use digital platforms to automate data collection. When you use a system like Atlantic Training’s WAVE, your training metrics are tracked automatically. You can see who is compliant and who isn’t in seconds, turning a lagging administrative task into a leading indicator of risk.

Conclusion: Move from Reactive to Proactive

Stop waiting for an accident to tell you something is wrong. By adopting these safety performance indicators examples, especially the leading ones, you can predict risk, prevent injuries, and prove the ROI of your safety program to leadership. Safety isn’t just about luck; it’s about the numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Safety KPIs

What is the difference between leading and lagging indicators?

Lagging indicators measure past outcomes (like injuries or costs) and tell you what already happened. Leading indicators measure proactive activities (like training or inspections) and help predict and prevent future incidents.

What are the best safety performance indicators for a small business?

For smaller teams, focus on Training Completion Rates and Safety Inspection Frequency. These are easy to track and have a high impact on preventing injuries without requiring complex data analysis.

Why does OSHA recommend leading indicators?

OSHA recommends leading indicators because they encourage prevention rather than reaction. Focusing on proactive measures helps organizations fix hazards before a worker gets hurt, which is the core goal of any safety program.