What are safety metrics?

Safety metrics refer to quantitative measures that are specifically designed to assess and track safety performance within an organization. These metrics can include a variety of data points, such as the number of incidents, accident rates, near-misses, and compliance with safety regulations. By utilizing these quantifiable metrics, organizations can identify trends, make informed decisions, improve safety protocols, and ultimately reduce workplace incidents.

Implementing safety metrics is crucial for fostering a culture of safety, as it provides a clear framework for evaluating safety initiatives and their effectiveness over time. Organizations can use this data to benchmark their performance against industry standards or their own historical performance, thus promoting continuous improvement in safety practices. This focus on measurable data distinguishes safety metrics from qualitative measures, which may not provide the same level of actionable insight into safety performance.