What is the DART rate?
The DART rate measures work-related injury and illness cases involving days away from work, restricted duties, or transfer to another job. Expressed per 100 full-time equivalent workers, it is calculated by multiplying qualifying cases by 200,000 and dividing by the hours actually worked by all employees during the same year.
Key facts
- DART includes cases involving days away from work, restricted work, or job transfer.
- The standard calculation uses 200,000 hours, representing 100 full-time equivalent workers.
- The numerator counts cases, not days lost.
How do you calculate DART?
DART = (qualifying cases × 200,000) ÷ total employee hours worked. Use the combined case counts in columns H and I of the OSHA injury and illness forms.
BLS excludes paid time not worked, such as vacation, holidays, and sick leave, from the denominator.
How should you compare DART rates?
BLS recommends comparisons with employers doing similar work and having similarly sized workforces. Check that the comparison uses the same case categories and rate basis.
Frequently asked questions
Does DART include cases without an absence?
Yes. Cases involving restricted work or job transfer can qualify without days away from work.
Is DART the total recordable case rate?
No. The total recordable case rate also includes other recordable cases in column J; DART uses columns H and I.
Sources
- Calculating Incidence Rates, Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Division (HIOSH) (accessed October 28, 2026)
- How To Compute Your Firm’s Incidence Rate for Safety Management, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (accessed October 28, 2026)
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