What kind of costs do indirect costs include?

Indirect costs are expenses that are not directly tied to a specific project or activity but are necessary for the general operation of an organization. Operational disruptions fall under this category as they often lead to additional costs that are incurred indirectly due to an event, such as an accident or a safety incident. This can include lost productivity, delays in service delivery, and the need for temporary replacements or overtime work to cover the gaps caused by the disruption.

In contrast, direct expenses refer to costs that can be directly attributed to a specific product, service, or project, which makes them distinct from indirect costs. Immediate medical costs, on the other hand, are direct costs that arise from treating injuries or health issues related to workplace incidents. Long-term financial losses might be associated with indirect costs, but they are more specific and resulting from the broader implications of an incident, which would also include operational disruptions. Thus, understanding operational disruptions as a category of indirect costs provides a complete view of the potential financial impact on an organization.