Monitoring - active & reactive measures

Active measures give feedback about performance before incidents are experienced. Obviously this is preferable, assuming action can be taken to prevent incidents occurring. An additional benefit is that active monitoring measures success and reinforces positive achievement. Active measures usually consider the following:

* Achievement of specific plans and objectives
* Operation of a health and safety management system
* Compliance with standards and procedures
* Site condition inspection
* Environmental monitoring
* Health surveillance
* Behavioural observation

Reactive monitoring is triggered by events including

* Injuries
* Ill health
* Property damage
* Incidents with potential to cause harm
* Hazard reports
* Complaints

In reality reactive measures are more tangible than active, and for this reason many organisations remain fixated with them. Also, it is fair to say the occurrence of an incident does focus the mind more than some active measures can ever achieved. However, whilst reactive measures still give the opportunity to learn a great deal, these opportunities often occur after someone has been injured.