What term describes indicators such as serious injuries or fatalities?

The term that describes indicators such as serious injuries or fatalities is widely recognized as lagging indicators. These metrics provide insight into outcomes that have already occurred, reflecting the effectiveness of safety measures after incidents take place. Lagging indicators are retrospective; they track events like workplace injuries, accidents, and fatalities, which highlight the consequences of existing safety practices.

In the context of workplace safety, these indicators are crucial for assessing past performance and identifying areas for improvement. They help organizations understand the frequency and severity of incidents, ultimately guiding them in their efforts to enhance safety measures. By analyzing trends in these lagging indicators, companies can implement strategies designed to prevent future occurrences.

Leading indicators, on the other hand, refer to proactive measures and actions that predict future performance and potential safety outcomes. Performance metrics can be a broad category that encompasses various measures of efficiency or effectiveness but does not specifically address safety incidents. Safety benchmarks typically refer to standards or targets established for safety performance but do not inherently cover the idea of measuring results after incidents occur.