Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The OSHA incidence rate is classified as a lagging indicator in safety because it reflects past health and safety performance rather than predicting future performance. Specifically, it measures the frequency of work-related injuries and illnesses that have already occurred within a certain period. By analyzing these rates, organizations can understand their historical safety record and identify trends or areas in need of improvement. Lagging indicators typically focus on outcomes and results, allowing organizations to evaluate their effectiveness in managing safety after incidents have taken place.

In contrast, the other options—employee satisfaction surveys, safety training completion rate, and near-miss reporting frequency—are considered leading indicators. They are proactive measures that provide insights into the current or future effectiveness of safety practices and workforce engagement. Leading indicators aim to predict and prevent future incidents by addressing potential issues before they result in injuries or illnesses.