LEADING AND LAGGING INDICATORS IN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH: AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH FOR EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PREVENTIVE INTERVENTIONS

Objective Evaluating the effectiveness of preventive interventions is of paramount importance to set up efficient occupational safety and health (OSH) programs. Leading and lagging indicators can be used to monitor and improve health and safety at the workplace. The aim of this study is to provide a list of indicators for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of OSH interventions. Material and Methods This study is part of the project BRiC 2022–ID01 - funded by the National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL, Italy) - which is aimed at developing a dashboard of indicators for preventing workplace injuries and illnesses. We will perform a scoping review of the literature (MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science), including peer-reviewed journal articles and grey literature (e.g., reports from agencies and conference proceedings). Leading and lagging indicators will be categorized according to type and predefined dimensions. Results Leading indicators measure events leading up to injuries, illnesses, and other incidents revealing emerging issues related to OSH. On the other hand, lagging indicators measure the occurrence of events in terms of number/rate of injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. Among others, leading indicators include the proportion of workers attending and completing safety training, the number of scheduled inspections and the types of hazards identified. Lagging indicators comprise a variety of metrics such as the number of near misses and the proportion of workdays lost due to occupational injuries/ illnesses. Conclusion The combination of leading and lagging indicators can play a crucial role in preventing fatalities, injuries, and illnesses at work. The integration between proactive and reactive approach helps identifying critical areas and key factors for monitoring the effectiveness of OSH programs in the long term. Leading and lagging indicators are valuable tools that can be used to create a safe and sustainable workplace.