In my decade-long journey within the Occupational Health and Safety industry, one persistent question continues to echo: Who created Safety KPIs, and why do they consistently fall short? Despite numerous inquiries to experts and seasoned professionals, a definitive answer remains elusive. Some attribute their origins to regulatory bodies like OSHA, yet the reality is shrouded in ambiguity. It's astonishing how countless companies have blindly followed suit, relying on reactionary metrics in an attempt to gauge their safety performance.

I've consulted Safety VPs, worker comp representatives, and HR professionals, probing into the selection process of safety data outputs. Astonishingly, the consensus is uncertainty. Many resort to data collection software and churn out KPI reports using tools like Power BI. But does this truly equip them to predict accidents? Regrettably, the answer is a resounding no. A staggering 90% of the data collected and scrutinized constitutes lagging indicators—essentially, actions taken only after an incident occurs.

The crux of the issue lies in the absence of early warning signs for safety concerns. Furthermore, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Managers often lack sufficient training in Predictive Analysis. Reports generated through platforms like Power BI or Tableau boast complex interfaces, learning curves which cause a major challenge. Reliance on IT exacerbates delays in analysis, while manual data entry of safety reports introduces opportunities for human error. Few teams possess an EHS data strategy or ponder ways to enhance their data, perhaps due to an unspoken discomfort surrounding the topic.

Consequently, companies anchor their safety performance on outdated metrics such as OSHA recordable rates, worker comp claims, days away from work, and time elapsed since the last injury. These relics of the past fail to reflect the evolving landscape of safety measures. Imagine wearing the same attire from two decades ago—absurd, isn't it? Similarly, clinging to archaic safety methodologies perpetuates a cycle of preventable harm. Ultimately, these challenges converge on a single, glaring reality: companies lack the foresight to anticipate accidents before they occur. It's a critical deficiency that jeopardizes the safety of workers and undermines opportunities for accident prevention.

 As a dedicated safety professional, I've earnestly urged employers to scrutinize their safety data's effectiveness. Are these metrics genuinely preventing accidents? If so, how? It's imperative to delve deep into these questions, employing the same rigor as you would when investigating an accident. Engage your team in brainstorming sessions to identify which data outputs truly resonate, focusing on leading indicators. Make it a collective goal to transition away from lagging indicators. Undoubtedly, this endeavor will demand time and effort. Change is often met with resistance, as it necessitates stepping out of comfort zones and confronting uncertainties. However, it's precisely through these transformative efforts that true progress and safety enhancements emerge.

To advance in ensuring people's safety, we must align ourselves with the present and adapt to available resources. Our KPIs should evolve into prediction models, not merely checklists of past failures but indicators of our successes. It's time to overhaul our mindset and reimagine our approach to safety.

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