How Do I Calculate the OSHA Incident Rate?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics uses incidence rates to compare the number of work-related illnesses and injuries across different industries and firm sizes as well as between different tasks within the same company. Companies can use incidence rates to evaluate problem areas and determine whether progress is being made year to year. Because a common base number and a specific time frame is used to calculate incidence rates, comparisons can be made regardless of variables such as fluctuating numbers of employees or hours worked.

Things You'll Need

• Occupational Safety and Health Form 300 or OSHA Form 300A
• Calculator
• Payroll records or other time records

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Instructions

• 1

  Find the number of nonfatal injuries and illnesses for the year within the company by counting the number of recordable cases of work-related injuries and illnesses on the OSHA Form 300. This number can also be found by adding the recordable cases from columns H (days away from work), I (job transfers or restrictions) and J (other recordable cases) on the OSHA Form 300A.

• 2

  Add the total number of hours worked by all employees in the company during the given year. This can be found by using the Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses on the OSHA Form 300 or Form 300A or by using payroll or other time records.

• 3

  Multiply the number of illnesses and injuries from step one by 200,000, or the standard base number. The standard base number represents 100 employees who worked 40 hours per week for 50 weeks out of the year.

• 4

  Divide the resulting number by the number of employee hours worked from Step 2. This number represents the company's incidence rate.