OSHA Recordable Incident Rate Calculator
Understanding the OSHA Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR)
The Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) is a mathematical standard used by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to monitor safety performance across different industries. It allows companies to compare their safety records against other businesses within their industry, regardless of the size of the workforce.
The OSHA Incident Rate Formula
The calculation is based on the assumption that 100 employees work 2,000 hours each per year (40 hours per week for 50 weeks). This creates the standard base of 200,000 hours.
The Formula:
(Number of Incidents x 200,000) / Total Number of Hours Worked
What counts as a "Recordable Incident"?
According to OSHA, a recordable incident generally includes:
- Any work-related fatality.
- Any work-related injury or illness that results in loss of consciousness, days away from work, restricted work, or transfer to another job.
- Any work-related injury or illness requiring medical treatment beyond first aid.
- Significant diagnosed injuries or illnesses.
Realistic Example:
A manufacturing plant has 120 employees who worked a combined total of 240,000 hours in 2023. During that year, there were 3 recordable injuries.
Calculation: (3 x 200,000) / 240,000 = 2.50
This means for every 100 full-time workers, 2.5 incidents occurred during the year.
Why TRIR is Critical for Your Business
Maintaining a low TRIR is important for several reasons:
- Benchmarking: Compare your safety performance against Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) industry averages.
- Insurance Premiums: Higher incident rates often lead to higher workers' compensation insurance costs.
- Bidding on Contracts: Many clients, especially in construction and government sectors, require your TRIR before allowing you to bid on projects.
- Safety Culture: It serves as a lagging indicator to help identify if current safety protocols are effective.