Developing Leading Indicators to Monitor the Safety Conditions of Construction Projects

Abstract

This paper presents a conceptual framework for developing leading safety indicators for the construction industry. The framework clarifies the nature of the indicators in terms of definition, purpose, and attributes. A pragmatic method for systematically identifying a set of leading indicators for construction projects is proposed. The method consists of four steps: conceptualization, operationalization, indicator generation, validation, and revision, and emphasizes two functions of leading indicators: informative and decision aiding. First, leading indicators must be able to provide information about the state of construction safety. Second, they must be able to help decision makers take remedial actions. These two functions should promote double-loop learning, reflecting any existing safety model and facilitating the construction of a new one through ongoing validation. A hypothetical example is provided to illustrate the entire development process. The conceptual framework, together with the development method, provides the construction industry with both theoretical and methodological guidance on developing leading indicators that can better serve the purpose of proactive safety management.