It’s often said that Data is the ‘new oil’ (it helps the business engine turn more quickly), the ‘new soil’ (it’s vital to healthy business growth) or simply ‘a tidal wave’ (a metaphor for the onslaught of data as a voluminous, impactful giant wall of water. Either way, Data and Data Literacy is an emerging area to which modern, progressive, Safety Leaders should be paying close attention. Whether we’re thinking Bird or Heinrich, or any incarnation of Safety, SHEQ or ESG, the ability to collect, interpret and act upon data has never been more important. Demonstrating the correlation between SHEQ/ESG performance and business outcomes is also crucial for obtaining Board support and budget approval. Data is no longer the preserve of scientists or technologists; it’s a language in which all Safety Leaders need to be fluent.