What Is the OSHA DART Rate?

Posted April 20, 2026

When it comes to measuring workplace safety, OSHA relies on several standardized metrics. One of the most important—and often misunderstood—is the Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred (DART) rate.

The DART rate zeroes in on serious workplace injuries and illnesses—the kinds of incidents that prevent employees from doing their normal jobs. For employers, understanding this metric isn’t just about checking a compliance box. It plays a meaningful role in safety management, benchmarking performance, and even OSHA enforcement decisions.

In this post, we’ll break down what the OSHA DART rate is, how it’s calculated, and how employers can use it to strengthen workplace safety programs.

What Is the OSHA DART Rate?

The DART rate measures how often recordable workplace injuries and illnesses result in:

  • Days away from work
  • Restricted work activity
  • Transfer to another job

Because it focuses on incidents that disrupt normal job duties, the DART rate is widely viewed as a measure of incident severity, not just how often injuries occur.

OSHA calculates the DART rate using data from required injury and illness records maintained under 29 CFR Part 1904. Employers covered by these rules must document incidents using OSHA Form 300, Form 301, and Form 300A.

How the DART Rate Is Calculated

The formula for calculating the DART rate is straightforward:

DART Rate = (Number of DART Cases × 200,000) ÷ Total Hours Worked by All Employees

The number 200,000 represents the hours worked by 100 full‑time employees in a year. This standardized multiplier allows OSHA—and employers—to compare safety performance across businesses of different sizes.

Because the calculation highlights cases involving lost or restricted work time, a higher DART rate generally reflects more disruptive or severe incidents.

What Counts as a DART Case?

Not every injury makes it into the DART calculation. To qualify, an incident must first meet OSHA’s definition of a recordable injury or illness. That typically includes cases involving:

  • Medical treatment beyond first aid
  • Loss of consciousness
  • A significant diagnosed injury or illness

On top of that, the incident must result in at least one day away from work, restricted duty, or job transfer.

What’s Excluded?

  • First‑aid‑only cases
  • Incidents with no impact on job duties

Accurate classification is critical. Mislabeling cases—especially restricted duty or job transfers—can significantly skew your DART rate and lead to compliance issues.

OSHA Reporting and Compliance Considerations

Depending on company size and industry classification, some employers must also submit injury and illness data electronically through OSHA’s Injury Tracking Application (ITA).

Because the DART rate is calculated directly from OSHA log data, recordkeeping errors can have serious consequences, including:

  • Incorrect electronic submissions
  • Increased scrutiny during OSHA inspections
  • Potential enforcement actions

Inaccurate DART rates don’t just affect compliance—they can misrepresent your organization’s true safety performance.

How Employers Should Use the DART Rate

The DART rate is a lagging indicator, meaning it reflects past events rather than predicting future risk. That doesn’t make it less useful—but it does mean it needs to be interpreted carefully.

Here are a few best practices:

  • Look at trends, not single numbers. One incident can dramatically impact the DART rate, especially in smaller organizations.
  • Compare against industry averages. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data can help you understand how your rate stacks up against similar employers.
  • Use DART as part of a broader safety picture. It’s most effective when analyzed alongside metrics like Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR), near‑miss reports, and audit findings.

OSHA Enforcement and Inspection Risk

OSHA considers DART rates when identifying workplaces for inspection. A rate that is significantly higher than industry norms may increase your chances of being selected for an inspection or additional scrutiny.

From an enforcement standpoint, the DART rate helps OSHA identify workplaces where injuries are not only happening—but are serious enough to interfere with normal operations.

Common Mistakes That Affect DART Rates

Many employers struggle with DART calculations due to avoidable errors, including:

  • Misclassifying restricted duty or job transfer cases
  • Incorrectly counting days away from work
  • Excluding temporary workers who are under direct supervision
  • Failing to accurately track total hours worked
  • Underreporting injuries and illnesses

Another risk area involves workplace policies or incentive programs that discourage injury reporting. OSHA has made it clear that practices interfering with accurate reporting may violate anti‑retaliation rules.

Best Practices for Managing Your DART Rate

To stay compliant and get real value from the DART rate, employers should:

  • Train staff responsible for OSHA recordkeeping
  • Regularly review Forms 300, 301, and 300A for accuracy
  • Analyze incident trends and identify root causes
  • Implement corrective actions and hazard controls
  • Use return‑to‑work or modified duty programs where appropriate

Reducing days away from work—without compromising employee recovery—can support both safety outcomes and business continuity.

Final Thoughts

The OSHA DART rate is more than just a compliance metric. It offers insight into how workplace injuries affect employees, operations, and overall risk exposure.

When calculated accurately and evaluated in context, the DART rate becomes a powerful tool for improving safety performance, reducing enforcement risk, and supporting a healthier workplace. Employers that understand how to use it effectively are better positioned to protect their people—and their business.  For more information, please contact the team at Horst Insurance.