“Leading safety indicators” are variables that are known to correlate with lagging indicators such as accidents. When a leading indicator suggests that the risk of a safety incident is increasing, the safety manager can intervene and mitigate the risk. This paper presents the results of a recently completed study of leading indicators using a data set from an onshore oil and gas drilling operation. This research leverages the results of two previous studies on the same data set to identify leading indicators and to provide guidance regarding intervention. This case study is intended to demonstrate how a quantitative approach can provide specific guidance to safety managers regarding safety policy and decision-making.
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