What is the DART Rate

The DART rate stands for Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred. It is a workplace safety metric used to measure serious work-related injuries and illnesses. Specifically, it tracks incidents that result in employees being unable to perform their normal duties.

This rate is essential in evaluating how safe a workplace is over a period of time. A higher DART rate suggests more serious incidents and potentially unsafe conditions, while a lower rate indicates fewer disruptions due to injury or illness.

How to Calculate It

The DART rate is calculated using a standardized OSHA formula. The formula is: (Number of DART incidents × 200,000) ÷ Total number of hours worked by all employees during the period.

In this formula, 200,000 represents the number of hours 100 full-time employees would work in a year (40 hours/week × 50 weeks × 100 employees). This normalization allows for fair comparison across companies of different sizes.

Example

Suppose a company has 5 DART incidents in a year and employees collectively worked 400,000 hours during that time. Using the formula: (5 × 200,000) ÷ 400,000 = 2.5. This means the DART rate is 2.5.

This figure can then be compared to industry benchmarks or previous years to evaluate trends and safety performance.

Why Use It

The DART rate is used because it provides a clear indicator of the impact of workplace injuries and illnesses on operations. It focuses not just on any incident, but on those serious enough to alter an employee’s ability to work normally.

Employers use this metric to track safety over time, set improvement goals, and communicate their commitment to safety to stakeholders, regulators, and employees.

Interpreting It

A high DART rate can signal frequent or serious safety issues that require immediate attention. It may mean that more training, better safety procedures, or improved equipment is needed to protect workers.

On the other hand, a low DART rate reflects well on a company’s health and safety program. It can also lower insurance premiums and reduce the risk of OSHA inspections or fines.

Practical Applications

Human resources and safety managers regularly use the DART rate to assess safety programs. If the rate increases, it may prompt policy reviews, equipment upgrades, or additional safety training sessions.

In industries like manufacturing, construction, and warehousing, the DART rate can determine eligibility for certain contracts. Clients and government agencies may prefer to work with companies that have low DART rates.

Conclusion

The DART rate is a powerful safety indicator that helps organizations measure the real-world consequences of workplace hazards. By tracking days away from work or restricted duty, it offers insights beyond basic injury counts.

Monitoring and improving the DART rate leads to a safer, more productive work environment. It supports long-term business success by reducing costs, protecting workers, and enhancing company reputation.