Top 3 EHS Metrics Every Leader Should Track
Measuring performance isn’t just for finance—it’s how you drive real safety improvements. Here are the three must-track metrics for any EHS leader:
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1. Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR)
- What it is: The number of OSHA recordable injuries per 100 full-time workers over a year.
- Why it matters: A high TRIR signals systemic safety gaps; a declining TRIR shows your programs are working.
- How to collect:
1. Log every recordable injury in your incident management system.
2. Calculate monthly TRIR = (Recordables ÷ Total hours worked) × 200,000.
3. Display on a simple spreadsheet or dashboard.
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2. Near-Miss Frequency Rate (NMFR)
- What it is: The number of reported near-misses per 100 workers (same 200,000-hour basis).
- Why it matters: More near-miss reports usually indicate a stronger safety culture and proactive hazard identification.
- How to collect:
1. Encourage all staff to report near-misses via a mobile form or intranet portal.
2. Tally reports monthly.
3. Track the trend—aim for rising reports, then stable or falling rates as corrective actions close.
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3. Corrective Action Closure Rate (CAR Closure)
- What it is: The percentage of assigned corrective actions that are closed within your target timeframe (e.g., 30 days).
- Why it matters: It shows whether you’re actually fixing identified hazards, not just logging them.
- How to collect:
1. Assign each finding a due date in your audit/investigation tool.
2. At month-end, calculate (Actions Closed ÷ Actions Assigned) × 100%.
3. Display it next to TRIR/NMFR on your dashboard.
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By focusing on TRIR, NMFR, and CAR Closure, you’ll have a clear, balanced picture of both outcomes (injuries) and process health (reporting and fixes).
Ready to turn data into action?
