Lead-time management dangers

The LTI frequency rate is not a reliable indicator of the level of safety at Eastern, in part because of the extent to which it is influenced by claims management procedures which result in the conversion of LTIs into injuries without lost time. A further defect is that it fails to highlight major safety failures which need to be taken seriously, regardless of how many lost-time injuries may be occurring. For instance, fatalities are relatively rare, and most mines go for years without a death. However, when they occur they are usually indicative of serious safety deficiencies. Moreover, there are certain kinds of dangerous occurrences with the potential to lead to death or injury which must be reported to the inspectorate, regardless of whether injury has in fact occurred. Every such dangerous occurrence raises questions about standards of safety. 

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