Safety Metrics for the Modern Safety Professional

6 Results-Based Measures; aka Lagging Indicators

The lagging indicator is far from dead, it is just getting started.

C. Gary Lopez

I am not certain who gets credit (or blame) for coining the term “lagging indicator.” I say “blame” because, unfortunately, the lagging indicator (often referred to as a trailing indicator) has, as of late, gotten a bad reputation in our field.

This is unfortunate, because the lagging indicator is neither going away nor is it a poor metric. In fact, as pointed out in the previous chapter, without it, we cannot even validate leading indicators. Despite the negativity that is being associated with the lagging indicator, safety professionals are going to find themselves increasingly using these indicators and in different ...