OSHA TRIR & DART Explained: How to Calculate and Benchmark Your Safety Rate
Published July 21, 2026 · By buildercalc Safety & Compliance Team · Cited Standard: OSHA 29 CFR 1904 / BLS Injury Report
Occupational safety performance on commercial construction projects is evaluated using standardized recordable incident rates governed by OSHA 29 CFR 1904 rules. Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) measures the total number of OSHA 300 recordable injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers, normalized to a baseline of 200,000 labor-hours worked per year. The DART rate (Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred) isolates more severe injury cases that result in lost workdays or modified job duties. According to US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) national safety data, non-residential construction contractors maintain an average TRIR benchmark between 2.4 and 2.8. Maintaining a low TRIR (below 2.0) is essential for general contractors and subcontractors to pass owner pre-qualification thresholds, secure municipal bidding eligibility, and lower workers' compensation Experience Modification Rates (EMR).
Step-by-Step TRIR & DART Formulas
To compare safety performance fairly across companies of varying headcount, OSHA normalizes injury data using a 200,000-hour base factor (representing 100 workers working 40 hours per week for 50 weeks).
- Recordable Cases: Any work-related injury/illness resulting in loss of consciousness, restricted work, job transfer, or medical treatment beyond first aid.
- DART Cases: Subset of recordables involving days away from work, job restriction, or transfer.
- Total Labor-Hours: Actual hours worked by all employees (excluding vacation or leave).
National BLS Safety Benchmarks & EMR Impact
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes annual workplace injury statistics. In non-residential building construction (NAICS 2362), the national average TRIR is approximately 2.5. Owners often set strict pre-qualification cutoffs (e.g. TRIR < 3.0 or < 2.0). Furthermore, high TRIR directly correlates with increased Experience Modification Rates (EMR), raising workers' compensation insurance premiums.
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Open TRIR / DART Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is OSHA TRIR (Total Recordable Incident Rate)?
TRIR measures the number of OSHA-recordable injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time workers (200,000 labor-hours) per year: TRIR = (Recordable Cases × 200,000) / Total Labor-Hours.
What is DART Rate?
DART measures workplace injuries resulting in Days Away, Restricted work, or Job Transfer per 200,000 labor-hours: DART = (DART Cases × 200,000) / Total Labor-Hours.
Why is the base multiplier 200,000 hours?
The 200,000-hour factor represents the equivalent hours worked by 100 full-time employees working 40 hours per week for 50 weeks in a calendar year.
What is a good TRIR benchmark for general construction?
According to BLS national safety statistics, the average TRIR for non-residential construction is approximately 2.4 to 2.8. A TRIR below 2.0 is considered strong safety performance.
- OSHA 29 CFR 1904 Regulations for Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (osha.gov).
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses Summary (bls.gov/iif).