Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) Practice Test 2026 – All-in-One Study Guide for Exam Success!

A "lagging" indicator is best defined as a metric or occurrence that is measured after an event has already taken place, such as a workplace injury. This type of indicator is utilized to assess outcomes and performance related to safety by looking at past incidents and their consequences. Examples of lagging indicators include accident rates, injury reports, and lost time due to workplace injuries. These metrics provide an understanding of how effective safety measures have been retrospectively.

In contrast, the other options refer to concepts that are more future-oriented or preventive in nature. For instance, predictions of potential workplace hazards and proactive safety measures focus on anticipating and preventing incidents before they occur, which aligns more with leading indicators. Leading indicators are used to predict future performance and identify areas for improvement. Guidelines for evaluating risk, while important for understanding safety practices, also do not fit the definition of lagging indicators as they are typically part of a risk management process that focuses on current and future safety measures rather than historical outcomes.