Leading vs. Lagging Indicators: A Petrochemical Perspective

While leading and lagging indicators are fundamental safety concepts, this session delves deeper into their application within the petrochemical industry. Let’s explore the nuances:
Leading Indicators: These proactive measures provide early warnings of potential safety issues before an incident occurs. In our petrochemical context, leading indicators might include:
Number of near misses reported.
Safety observation findings (unsafe behaviors or conditions).
Preventive maintenance completion rates.
Employee participation in safety training programs.
Lagging Indicators: These are reactive measures that reflect past safety performance. They tell us what already happened, not what might happen in the future. Examples specific to petrochemical operations include:
Recordable Incident Rate (RIR)
Lost Workday Case Rate (LWDR)
Process safety incidents (e.g., fires, explosions)

Group Activity: Sharpening Your Indicator Focus
Divide participants into groups and challenge them with a real-world scenario:
The Task: Identify both leading and lagging indicators relevant to a specific petrochemical process (e.g., distillation, cracking).
Leading Indicators: What proactive measures can be monitored to predict potential safety incidents within this process?
Lagging Indicators: What reactive measures can be used to assess the effectiveness of existing safety controls for this process?