Construction Safety: KPIs, Safety Metrics, and Individual Risk Scores

This document outlines key performance indicators (KPIs) and safety metrics for evaluating employee safety performance in construction, along with methods for assigning individual risk scores. It emphasizes comprehensive hazard identification and risk management to foster a safer work environment.

Leading and Lagging Indicators

To comprehensively evaluate safety performance, a combination of leading and lagging indicators should be used. Leading indicators are proactive and preventative, focusing on future performance, while lagging indicators are reactive, recording past incidents and injuries. Using both provides a better understanding of what is and isn't working in the occupational health and safety program. Every organization and workplace is unique, so it is important to determine which indicators will provide you with the best information. [6]

Leading Indicators (Proactive)

Leading indicators are proactive, preventative, and predictive measures taken to identify and eliminate hazards in the workplace. They look forward to future health and safety performance with the goal of continually improving. Workplaces can use leading indicators to determine the effectiveness of their health and safety programs and to highlight any issues that should be corrected before an incident occurs. [9]

Examples of Leading Indicators:

• Engagement in training programs and orientation
• Percentage of managers and workers with health and safety training
• Frequency of health and safety meetings
• Frequency of ergonomic assessments
• Frequency of safety audits
• Workplace culture
• Number of completed Job Safety Analyses (JSAs)
• Regular equipment and machinery inspections
• Hazard reporting rate by employees
• Number of safety suggestions submitted
• Proactive hazard identification and risk assessments

[9] [9] [9] [9] [9] [9]

Lagging Indicators (Reactive)

Lagging indicators record what has happened by tracking incident statistics. These metrics evaluate the overall past effectiveness of the workplace health and safety program and are reactive. [8]

Examples of Lagging Indicators:

• Injury frequency and severity
• Lost time injuries
• Incidents (including property damage, environmental spill)
• Near-misses and close calls
• Workers' compensation costs

[8] [8] [8] [8] [8] Individual Risk Scores

Assigning individual risk scores involves evaluating various factors related to an employee's work environment, tasks, and behaviors. This helps in identifying employees who may require additional training, monitoring, or support.

Factors to Consider for Individual Risk Scores:

• Experience level: New or inexperienced workers may have a different level of risk.
• Training and Competency: Evaluate whether the workers have received adequate training.
• Task Complexity: Assess the complexity and inherent hazards associated with assigned tasks.
• Adherence to Safety Procedures: Monitor compliance with safety protocols and safe work practices.
• Incident Reporting: Track the number of near misses or incidents reported by the employee.
• Work Environment: Consider the physical conditions and potential hazards of the employee's work area.
• Physical and Mental Condition: Consider the physical, psychological, or cognitive abilities and characteristics of workers.
• Individual worker factors such as age, height, disabilities, allergies, sensitivities, and pregnant or breastfeeding workers.

[1] [5] [5] Risk Assessment Process

A risk assessment is part of the process used to evaluate if any particular situation, item, or thing may have the potential to cause harm. The term often used to describe the full process is risk assessment: [3]

Steps in Risk Assessment:

1. Identify hazards: Find and record possible hazards that may be present in your workplace.
2. Analyze and evaluate the risk: Assess the risk associated with each hazard.
3. Determine appropriate control measures: Eliminate the hazard or control the risk when the hazard cannot be eliminated.
4. Monitor and Review: It is important to monitor both the hazard and the control method to make sure that the control is working effectively and that exposure to the hazard is reduced or eliminated.

[2] [2] [2] [10]

Hazard Identification Methods

To ensure all hazards are identified, consider the following methods:

• Workplace inspections
• Job descriptions and demands analysis
• Job safety analysis
• Incident investigations
• Documents and records review
• Hazard reporting by employees
• Hazard mapping
• Talk to the workers: they know their job and its hazards best.

[2] [1] [1] [1] [1] [1] [1] [1]

Risk Ranking and Prioritization

Prioritize hazards by considering the probability of exposure and the potential severity of an incident. Risk assessments with clearly defined parameters for probability and severity will make it easier to determine which hazards should be addressed first. [7] [7]

Risk = Probability x Severity [4] [11]

Control Measures

The best strategy is to control the hazard at its source. Control at the source and control along the path are sometimes also known as engineering controls. [10]

Hierarchy of Controls:

1. Elimination: Remove the hazard completely.
2. Substitution: Replace the hazardous substance or process with a safer one.
3. Engineering Controls: Implement physical changes to the workplace to isolate workers from the hazard.
4. Administrative Controls: Alter how the work is done, including policies, procedures, and training.
5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Provide equipment worn by individuals to reduce exposure.

[10] [10] Regular Monitoring and Review

Regularly monitor and review the hazard control program and methods to ensure they are working effectively and that exposure to hazards is reduced or eliminated. Some tools include physical inspection, testing, exposure assessment, observations, injury and illness tracking, incident investigations reports, employee feedback or input, occupational health assessment and other methods. [10]

Conclusion

By consistently measuring KPIs, assessing individual risk, and implementing robust hazard identification and control measures, construction companies can significantly improve employee safety performance and create a safer working environment. Continuous monitoring, review, and adaptation of these strategies are essential for sustained success.

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