What is a characteristic of a leading indicator for safety performance?

• A. A leading indicator signals potential future performance, such as preventive maintenance completion on schedule.
• B. A leading indicator is the total number of injuries that have already occurred.
• C. A leading indicator cannot be measured.
• D. A leading indicator is a subjective perception report.

Answer: (A)

Leading indicators are proactive measures that forecast how safety performance may look in the future. Completing preventive maintenance on schedule is a prime example because it reflects disciplined, proactive work to keep equipment in safe condition, reducing the likelihood of failures and unsafe events before they happen.

In contrast, counting injuries that have already occurred is a lagging indicator; it shows past outcomes rather than predicting future performance. The idea that a leading indicator cannot be measured is incorrect, since many leading indicators are measurable—such as maintenance completion rates, inspections, and safety trainings. A subjective perception report may provide useful insights, but leading indicators are strongest when they reflect objective, proactive activities that prevent incidents.