When it comes to workplace safety, data is critical to shaping policies and protocols. Among the most important metrics in evaluating safety performance is the Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR). This standardized formula provides insight into how often OSHA-recordable incidents occur at your jobsite relative to the size of your workforce. Understanding your TRIR not only benchmarks your performance but also helps position your company as a safety leader in your industry.
That’s why calculating your TRIR is essential for safety professionals, HR managers, and business owners. In this post, we’ll break down what TRIR is, why it matters, how to calculate it, and how to lower your rate.
Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) is a metric defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to measure a company’s recordable incidents normalized by workforce size over a standard number of hours.
In other words, it answers the question: How many recordable injuries or illnesses are occurring at your workplace per 100 full-time employees?
TRIR includes all OSHA-recordable incidents such as:
TRIR is more than just a number, it’s a reflection of your company’s safety culture and operational integrity. A high TRIR can result in:
On the other hand, a low TRIR is often seen as a hallmark of a company that takes safety seriously, which is something that potential clients, insurance companies, and other industry partners value immensely.
The formula to calculate TRIR is:
TRIR = (Number of Recordable Incidents × 200,000) / Total Hours Worked
Let’s break that down:
Example:
If your company had 4 recordable incidents in 2024 and your team worked a total of 300,000 hours, then:
TRIR = (4 × 200,000) / 300,000 = 800,000 / 300,000 = 2.67
This means your TRIR for the year would be 2.67.
A TRIR of 0 is considered perfect, while a rate below 3.0 is generally considered good, however, the average varies from industry to industry.
Our easy-to-use TRIR calculator allows you to get your rate quickly. You simply enter your information, and the calculator gives you your TRIR. Be sure to always double-check your numbers before calculation, as a small typo can make a huge difference in your rate.
If your TRIR is higher than you’d like, don’t panic. Instead, focus on strategies to improve workplace safety:
Remember: a lower TRIR doesn’t just improve your numbers, it highlights a workplace where employee safety is a main focus.
Many third-party compliance platforms, such as ISNetworld®, Veriforce®, and Avetta®, require you to report your TRIR as part of their prequalification process. A lower TRIR can limit your organization’s ability to land contracts.