What Is DART Rate
DART Rate measures the number of recordable injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time workers that result in days away from work, restricted work activity, or job transfer. OSHA requires employers with 10 or more employees to calculate and record DART cases on Form 300, the OSHA Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses.
The calculation is straightforward: multiply total DART cases by 200,000, then divide by total hours worked by all employees during the year. The 200,000 figure represents 100 full-time employees working 40 hours per week for 50 weeks annually. A DART Rate of 2.0 means 2 recordable incidents per 100 workers annually. The national average across all industries hovers around 1.5 to 2.0, though rates vary significantly by sector. Construction and manufacturing typically exceed 3.0, while professional services average under 1.0.
How DART Differs From Other Safety Metrics
DART Rate captures more than just Lost Time Injuries. It includes cases where workers return to work but with restrictions, such as light duty assignments or modified job functions. This matters because a worker with a sprained wrist who returns to administrative tasks after a warehouse accident counts as a DART case, even though they didn't take time off. TCIR, by contrast, includes all recordable cases, including those with only first aid treatment.
For homeowners, DART concepts apply to household injury tracking. If a family member requires ongoing modified activity because of a fall or burn injury, that incident belongs in your safety log alongside more serious incidents.
OSHA Compliance and Reporting
- Recording deadline: Employers must record DART cases within 7 calendar days of discovering the injury or illness.
- Annual posting: Form 300 summaries must be posted from February 1 through April 30 each year.
- Recordability threshold: Only injuries requiring treatment beyond first aid, or resulting in restricted work or lost time, are recordable.
- Inspection focus: OSHA investigators prioritize DART Rate accuracy during workplace audits. Underreporting can result in citations and penalties up to $15,676 per violation as of 2024.
- Electronic reporting: Employers with 250 or more employees must submit OSHA 300 data electronically beginning in 2025.
Using DART Rate for Safety Management
Safety managers should track DART Rate trends quarterly, not just annually. A rising DART Rate signals emerging hazards before more serious injuries occur. Chemical handling areas, for example, might show increasing restricted-duty cases before a severe exposure incident happens. This early warning allows you to conduct targeted audits, revise standard operating procedures, and reinforce training.
DART Rate also drives corrective actions in emergency preparedness. If slip-and-fall incidents dominate your DART cases, inventory control and housekeeping procedures require immediate attention. If chemical handling accidents appear, review spill response protocols, personal protective equipment fit-testing, and storage procedures.
For homeowners, tracking incidents that generate restricted activity (such as back injuries limiting lifting, or hand injuries preventing certain chores) helps identify hazard patterns in kitchens, bathrooms, or outdoor work areas.
Common Questions
- Does a near-miss count as a DART case? No. DART requires actual injury or illness with a recordable outcome. Near-misses should be tracked separately in your safety management system but don't affect DART calculations.
- What if an employee works reduced hours due to restrictions but doesn't take time off? This still counts as a DART case. Days Away refers to days the employee doesn't work at all, but Restricted Work includes modified duty with reduced hours or temporary reassignment.
- How often should we audit DART accuracy? Conduct a thorough audit of recorded cases at least quarterly. Cross-reference medical records, incident reports, and work restriction documentation to catch misclassifications before OSHA inspection.
Related Concepts
TCIR expands beyond DART to include all recordable cases, providing a fuller injury picture. Lost Time Injury focuses on the most severe subset of DART cases where workers cannot perform any work. Understanding all three metrics together gives you comprehensive visibility into workplace and home safety performance.