IRATA International put together 5 key lessons, from the latest WAHA Report. We’ve discussed four so far in previous articles: today we look at the 5th recommendation: “Leading Indicators for Proactive Prevention”.

It’s a tricky one – as accident and incident statistics are, by their nature, ‘lagging’ indicators. They provide insight into past events but offer little in the way of prevention. To foster a culture of safety, organisations must prioritise proactive measures — leading indicators — that allow teams to identify and mitigate risks before incidents occur.

So why is it important to understand leading indicators?

Because leading indicators are measurable actions or behaviours that can predict and prevent workplace incidents. Unlike lagging indicators, which focus on outcomes such as injury rates or lost workdays, leading indicators are proactive and preventive in nature. They help organizations shift from reactive responses to a culture of continuous improvement and risk mitigation.

Key Leading Indicators for Safety

To enhance workplace safety, organisations should incorporate the following leading indicators into their safety programs:

1. On-the-Ground Safety Observations Regular safety observations provide real-time insights into workplace conditions and behaviours. By engaging workers and supervisors in structured observations, organisations can detect unsafe practices early and implement corrective actions before incidents occur.
2. Safety Conversations Open and frequent safety discussions between workers and management encourage hazard recognition and proactive problem-solving. These conversations create an environment where employees feel comfortable reporting potential risks and suggesting improvements.
3. Pre-Task Briefings Before beginning any task, a structured pre-task briefing ensures that workers understand potential hazards, proper safety measures, and emergency protocols. These briefings reinforce awareness and prepare teams to handle challenges safely.
4. Near-Miss Reporting and Analysis Encouraging employees to report near-misses helps organisations identify patterns and address potential risks before they escalate into accidents. Analysing near-miss data allows safety teams to refine training, update procedures, and implement engineering controls to prevent recurrence.
5. Safety Training and Engagement Continuous safety training and engagement ensure that workers remain aware of best practices and emerging risks. Interactive training sessions, hands-on drills, and refresher courses help reinforce a strong safety culture.

Measuring and Improving Leading Indicators

To maximize the effectiveness of leading indicators, companies should periodically review their impact by analyzing trends, soliciting employee feedback, and adjusting strategies accordingly. Implementing digital tracking tools and dashboards can help organisations measure the effectiveness of proactive safety initiatives and refine their approach.

In conclusion, prevention must always be at the core of workplace safety. By integrating leading indicators such as safety observations, meaningful safety conversations, pre-task briefings, and near-miss reporting, companies can create a proactive safety culture that prioritises risk mitigation over incident response. The result is a safer work environment where employees feel empowered to contribute to continuous improvement and long-term safety success.

Yours in Safety

Deborah Chick

Ascend QM CEO