OSHA Recordable Incident Rate Calculator
Total number of injuries and illnesses recorded on OSHA Form 300.
The sum of hours worked by all employees during the calendar year.
Your OSHA Recordable Rate (TRIR)
0.00
How to Calculate OSHA Recordable Rate
The OSHA Recordable Incident Rate, often referred to as the Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR), is a standard calculation used by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to track safety performance. It allows companies of different sizes and across different industries to compare their safety records fairly.
This metric represents the number of employees per 100 full-time workers who have sustained a recordable injury or illness within a given period (usually one year).
The OSHA Recordable Rate Formula
The standard formula used to calculate the incidence rate is:
(Number of OSHA Recordable Cases × 200,000) ÷ Total Hours Worked
Understanding the Variables
- Number of OSHA Recordable Cases: This is the total count of work-related injuries and illnesses that resulted in death, days away from work, restricted work activity, transfer to another job, medical treatment beyond first aid, or loss of consciousness. These should be logged on your OSHA Form 300.
- 200,000: This is a constant benchmark number. It represents the equivalent of 100 employees working 40 hours per week for 50 weeks a year (100 × 40 × 50 = 200,000). Using this constant standardizes the rate so companies of all sizes can be compared on a "per 100 employees" basis.
- Total Hours Worked: This is the sum of all hours actually worked by all employees (including full-time, part-time, temporary, and seasonal) during the year. It does not include vacation, sick leave, or holidays.
Example Calculation
Let's say you run a manufacturing plant. Last year, you had:
- 5 recordable injuries.
- 450,000 total hours worked by all staff.
The calculation would be:
- Multiply injuries by the constant: 5 × 200,000 = 1,000,000
- Divide by total hours: 1,000,000 ÷ 450,000 = 2.22
Your OSHA recordable rate is 2.22. This means for every 100 full-time employees, 2.22 people suffered a recordable injury.
What is Considered a "Good" Rate?
A "good" rate varies significantly by industry. High-risk sectors like construction or manufacturing naturally have higher average rates than finance or retail. However, a general rule of thumb is that lower is always better.
Many companies aim for a TRIR of 3.0 or lower. A rate of 0.0 is the ultimate goal, indicating zero recordable incidents.
| Industry Sector | Average Incident Rate (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Construction | 2.5 – 3.5 |
| Manufacturing | 3.0 – 4.0 |
| Transportation/Warehousing | 4.0 – 5.0 |
| Professional Services | < 1.0 |
What Counts as an OSHA Recordable Incident?
Not every minor cut or bruise counts. For a case to be "recordable" and included in this calculator, it must be work-related and result in one of the following:
- Death.
- Days away from work.
- Restricted work or transfer to another job.
- Medical treatment beyond first aid (e.g., stitches, prescription medication).
- Loss of consciousness.
- Significant injury or illness diagnosed by a physician/professional (e.g., cancer, fractured bone, punctured eardrum).
Note: First aid treatments (like applying a bandage, using a cold compress, or non-prescription meds) are not recordable.
Why Calculate Your TRIR?
Calculating your incident rate is crucial for several reasons:
- Compliance: It helps ensure you are maintaining accurate records as required by federal law.
- Insurance Costs: Insurance providers often use this rate to determine workers' compensation premiums. A lower rate can save your company significant money.
- Prequalification: Many clients require contractors to submit their TRIR/EMR safety rates before bidding on projects. A high rate may disqualify you from lucrative contracts.
- Internal Benchmarking: It allows you to track your safety program's effectiveness year over year.