Lagging metrics assessment

One documented method uses process safety barriers identification for metrics selection. This concept uses a combination of lagging and leading indicators associated with process safety barriers and incident escalation controls to evaluate the process safety system performance. The basis for this method is documented in the U.K. Health and Safety Executive (HSE) publication HSG254 and illustrated by Figures 4.1-4.3. The strength of this technique arises from using the combination of indicators that provides multiple perspectives for judging the surety of a barrier or escalation control. For example, this basic concept was adopted and modified by BP to focus upon three information sources to assess key control barriers as summarized below ... 

Risk assessment A formal, structured, and methodical safety risk assessment process was developed and embedded on the factory floor. The safety risk assessment process was designed to be proactive and identify leading safety risk indicators that would point to new safety problems, not just based on past history (lagging safety indicators). Results were then used to create leading safety risk indicators— metrics that will identify where I will have future safety problems. 

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