OSHA Incident Rate Calculator
Calculate your Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) to monitor workplace safety performance and compare against industry benchmarks.
Your OSHA Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) is:
This represents the number of incidents per 100 full-time employees per year.
What is the OSHA Incident Rate?
The OSHA Incident Rate, specifically the Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR), is a mathematical formula used by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to measure a company's safety performance. It normalizes the number of injuries and illnesses so that companies of different sizes can be compared fairly.
The OSHA Incident Rate Formula
The standard formula to calculate the incident rate uses a base of 200,000 hours. This number represents the equivalent of 100 employees working 40 hours per week, 50 weeks per year.
Formula: (Number of Injuries and Illnesses × 200,000) / Total Hours Worked
How to Calculate Your Rate: Step-by-Step
- Count Recordable Cases: Look at your OSHA 300 log and count the total number of work-related injuries and illnesses for the year.
- Determine Total Hours: Sum up the actual hours worked by all employees (including overtime and temporary workers). Do not include vacation, sick leave, or holidays.
- Multiply: Multiply the number of cases by 200,000.
- Divide: Divide that result by the total hours worked.
Calculation Example
A manufacturing plant had 4 recordable injuries over the course of the year. The total number of hours worked by all employees combined was 160,000 hours.
- (4 × 200,000) = 800,000
- 800,000 / 160,000 = 5.0
The Incident Rate is 5.0, meaning for every 100 employees, 5 were injured during the year.
Why Monitoring This Rate Matters
Tracking your TRIR is essential for several reasons:
- Benchmarking: You can compare your rate against the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) industry averages to see how you stack up against competitors.
- Contracting: Many clients and prime contractors require your OSHA rates before allowing you to bid on projects.
- Internal Improvement: A rising rate indicates a need for immediate safety intervention or training.
- Insurance Premiums: While not the only factor, a high incident rate can lead to higher Workers' Compensation insurance costs.
What is a "Good" OSHA Incident Rate?
A "good" rate depends heavily on your industry. High-risk industries like construction or mining naturally have higher average rates than clerical or professional services. Generally, businesses aim for a rate lower than their specific industry average. You can find these averages on the BLS website under "Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities."