Here’s an oldie but a goody:  what sort of KPI’s should we be looking at ie leading indicators establishing that we are getting at this ‘elf and safety’ malarkey.

The important thing is that these indicators need to be things that demonstrate that we are taking  H&S seriously and getting better. I want to avoid things that we can end up massaging for example: number of risk assessment completed. That KPI just encourages pointless unnecessary paper work, with loads of near identical risk assessment being completed.

I think that KPIs should be based around things like:

• H&S related training completed
• H&S audit non-compliances closed out

Anything else we can add?

Interesting…

But I have questions:

“How about "% of workforce actively engaged in H&S"” –how do we measure this. I’s love to do this but can we spray them with something so they change colour when they do H&S. No honestly how can we measure this.

Or "reduction in PPE expenditure"

Why “reduction in PPE expenditure”. getting managers to buy the stuff and getting people to use it is my current battle.

Originally Posted by: David Bannister

Hi AK.

It depends on how H&S is managed in the organisation. If the process of (for example) risk assessment is meant to involve the people who are creating and exposed to the risks, their involvement (time, effort, contribution) can be measured. Similarly for accident investigation, inspections, audits etc.

If we accept that PPE is the "last resort" it suggests that improved, alternative methods of risk management should be sought and implemented, reducing the reliance on PPE. Not always possible but often overlooked. A big spend on PPE can be considered poor or lazy health and safety management (please do not be offended by this - it is not a personal jibe).

No offence taken.

We are an educational establishment and the mandatory PPE we are talking about is things like wearing labcoats and gloves in labs. No real alternative there.

Good idea though for example I do get some people suggesting that we use RPE in labs when they should be using fumecupboards as “fumecupboards cost money  and need to serviced once a year. Masks; you just put them on...”

Have you considered number of audits, outstanding actions, near miss reports and trending improvements? Also number of people completing training, tool box talks perhaps

I think if we were to  look at KPIs in the true sense these should be indicators based on how we are performing and I am not sure they are always used in this way, in that its the performance we should be looking at rather that the counting of stuff which most people do. Therefore, KPIs are often an indication of hope.

This is the reason why I am not a great fan of using KPIs within a H&S function. Ok… notwithstanding the handful of goals we have set in our H&S policy we do not use KPIs, instead we use Key Performance Activities (KPA).  Activities if chosen carefully can move the organisation forward, for example one of our activities was to implement and achieve 18001 accreditation. Understanding this difference between KPI and KPA can be the difference between merely stating the vision and goals and actually achieving them.

I have about 30 items detailed in my H&S strategic plan. This plan has been agreed between Directors, Managers, frontline staff and myself. My job is to complete all of the items on the strategic plan with a year and all of these form my KPAs. Note: The H&S Plan is also aligned with the organisations strategic plan and the 18001 framework.

Edited by user 28 January 2018 16:13:23(UTC)  | Reason: repeated word