What It Means
The Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR), also known as the Total Recordable Case Rate, is calculated by multiplying the number of recordable incidents by 200,000 and dividing by the total hours worked by all employees during the period. The 200,000 figure represents the approximate number of hours 100 full-time employees work in a year (50 weeks x 40 hours x 100 workers). TRIR is one of the most widely used benchmarks for comparing workplace safety performance across companies, industries, and time periods. The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes average TRIR data by industry through its Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), allowing employers to benchmark their performance against industry averages. Insurance companies, contractors, and safety-conscious clients frequently use TRIR to evaluate an employer's safety record during prequalification processes. A lower TRIR indicates better safety performance. Industries with the highest average TRIRs include nursing and residential care facilities, agriculture, and certain manufacturing sectors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Total Recordable Incident Rate" mean in OSHA context?
A standardized metric that measures the number of recordable workplace injuries and illnesses per 200,000 hours worked (equivalent to 100 full-time workers per year).
Why does Total Recordable Incident Rate matter for workplace safety?
The Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR), also known as the Total Recordable Case Rate, is calculated by multiplying the number of recordable incidents by 200,000 and dividing by the total hours worked by all employees during the period. The 200,000 figure represents the approximate number of hours...
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About This Data
Definitions based on OSHA standards, the OSH Act of 1970, and federal enforcement guidance. Penalty amounts reflect 2026 inflation-adjusted maximums. See our methodology.