Understanding Your DART Rate

RISK INSIGHTS
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Days Away, Restrictions, or Transfers

There are a variety of ways to track and benchmark your progress on safety initiatives: days without injury, the number of team members who have completed training and, of course, how many overall injuries your company experiences in a month or year. One statistic that OSHA keeps track of, and therefore is worth tracking too, is your DART rate.

What Is the DART Rate?

DART rate stands for days away, restrictions or transfers. The higher the number of incidents that require days away from work, job restrictions or job transfers, the higher your DART rate will be. OSHA uses your DART rate and your incident rate to statistically compare your company’s workplace safety performance with that of other businesses. This helps them identify workplaces with high rates of injury and illness.

Why Your DART Rate Is Important

Like your incidence rate, which is based on how many incidents per year per 100 team members you have, your DART rate gives an idea of how well your company is performing in workplace safety. If your business is considered to have a high DART rate compared to others in your industry, it can be included on OSHA’s primary target list. The businesses on this list are principal targets for a comprehensive OSHA inspection.

How Are DART Rates Calculated?

To calculate the DART rate, first find the total number of injuries that required at least one day away from work or restricted or transferred work. The number of injuries is multiplied by 200,000, which represents 100 team members working 40 hours a week, for 50 weeks. Then that number is divided by the total number of team member labor hours at your company.

The overall formula looks like this:

DART Rate =
(Total number of DART incidents × 200,000)
÷
Number of Team Member Labor Hours Worked

Inspection Deferrals and Tracking Progress

You may be able to defer an inspection if your company finds itself in this position. If your business has an OSHA Strategic Partnership, is taking part in an On-Site Consultation Program, is an applicant for a Voluntary Protection Program or is in the process of meeting Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) requirements, you may be able to get an inspection deferral for 75 days to 18 months.

Calculating and taking notice of your DART rate is a good way to monitor how your business is doing on safety compared to years past, as well. Setting a goal of lower DART and incidence rates can help set a benchmark for risk and safety leaders.

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This Risk Insights document is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should any discussion or opinion be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel for appropriate advice. © Zywave, Inc., The Holt Group LLC All rights reserved. All images are from Google Images and Story Blocks. Revised 2026