Abstract
Shortcomings of incident-based metrics such as Total Recordable Incident Frequency Rate (TRIFR) are well-documented, including the lack of standardization, construct validity, statistical power, and predictive power. A low TRIFR is also no assurance against legal liability. There is considerable overlap between the research literature on safety as the presence of capacities to make things go well, and jurisprudence in labor and workplace safety law. In this paper we suggest an index that merges the two, measuring the capacities to acquire and maintain safety knowledge; to understand the nature of operations; to resource for safety; to respond to risks; to demonstrate engagement and compliance; and the capacity for assurance.