Accident Frequency Rate Calculator
1,000,000 (International / General Industry)
200,000 (OSHA Standard – per 100 employees)
Accident Frequency Rate (AFR)
0.00
accidents per million hours worked.
How to Calculate Accident Frequency Rate
The Accident Frequency Rate (AFR) is a critical Key Performance Indicator (KPI) used by Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) professionals to measure workplace safety performance. It quantifies the frequency of injuries relative to the total amount of time worked by employees, allowing companies of different sizes to compare safety records on a level playing field.
AFR = (Number of Accidents × Constant) / Total Man-Hours Worked
Understanding the Inputs
- Number of Accidents: This typically refers to the number of Lost Time Injuries (LTI) or recordable incidents within a specific period (usually a year or a quarter).
- Total Man-Hours Worked: The sum of all hours worked by all employees during the same period. This includes overtime but excludes leave, sickness, and holidays.
- Scaling Constant:
- 1,000,000: Commonly used in international standards to represent the rate of accidents per one million hours worked.
- 200,000: Used primarily by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) in the USA. This number represents the equivalent of 100 employees working 40 hours a week for 50 weeks (100 × 40 × 50 = 200,000).
Example Calculation
Let's assume a manufacturing plant has the following data for the year 2023:
- Accidents (LTI): 4
- Employees: 250
- Total Hours Worked: 500,000 hours
Using the standard 1,000,000 multiplier:
AFR = (4 × 1,000,000) / 500,000 = 8.00
This means there were 8 accidents for every million hours of work performed.
Why is AFR Important?
Tracking your Accident Frequency Rate allows organizations to:
- Benchmark Performance: Compare current safety performance against previous years.
- Industry Comparison: Compare safety statistics against industry averages or competitors.
- Identify Trends: A rising AFR indicates deteriorating safety conditions that require immediate intervention.
Tips for Lowering Your AFR
To improve your frequency rate, focus on proactive measures rather than just reacting to incidents. Implement regular safety training, conduct thorough hazard assessments, encourage near-miss reporting, and ensure all personal protective equipment (PPE) is up to standard.