Associate Safety Professional Practice Exam

What does a leading indicator in occupational safety typically measure?

1. The outcomes of past incidents

2. Future performance predictions

3. The number of personnel trained in safety

4. Current workplace conditions

The correct answer is: Future performance predictions

A leading indicator in occupational safety is primarily focused on measures that can predict future performance and prevent incidents before they occur. This type of measurement is proactive, as it aims to identify and mitigate risks before they translate into accidents or safety violations. Leading indicators include metrics that assess behaviors, conditions, and proactive safety measures implemented in the workplace. For example, tracking the number of safety training sessions held, the frequency of safety audits, or the implementation of safety initiatives can help organizations foresee potential safety issues and improve their safety culture. In contrast, other options refer to metrics that reflect outcomes or conditions rather than predictive capabilities. Measuring past incidents or outcomes, such as accidents, does not provide insight into future safety performance but rather serves as a lagging indicator. Counting the number of personnel trained in safety and assessing current workplace conditions provide valuable information but are primarily descriptive and do not necessarily indicate future trends in safety performance.