In construction, safety performance has traditionally been measured using lagging indicators such as injuries, incidents, and lost time. While these metrics are important, they only tell us what has already happened. They do not help prevent the next incident.
At Five Star Electric, during the transformation of our safety culture, we used lagging indicators as a baseline to understand where we stood as a company. From there, we shifted our focus to strengthening leading indicators. These are the actions and behaviors that occur before an incident and ultimately drive safer outcomes.
Leading indicators are embedded in our daily operations. Pre-task planning and Job Hazard Analyses help our crews identify and address risks before work begins. Regular safety audits in the field allow us to recognize hazards early and correct them before they escalate. Our safety committee meetings create an open line of communication, where feedback from the field helps guide continuous improvement across our projects.
We also place a strong emphasis on recognition. Through our safety recognition program, we highlight individuals who demonstrate safe work practices and take the time to do things the right way. Whether through formal recognition or simple conversations in the field, acknowledging positive behavior reinforces the culture we continue to build.
By focusing on leading indicators, we are actively working to prevent incidents rather than reacting to them. This approach has strengthened our safety culture and improved overall performance across the company. Lagging indicators will always play a role in measuring safety, but real progress comes from the actions we take every day in the field.