What is the DART rate and how is it calculated?
DART stands for days away from work, days of restricted work activity or job transfer. A DART rate applies the incidence rate formula, (N / EH) x 200,000, with N as the number of DART cases. 29 CFR part 1904 does not define the rate.
By Cairn. Updated . Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics definitions.
The formula
OSHA's recordkeeping rule, 29 CFR part 1904, does not define DART rate. The quotations below are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Bureau of Labor Statistics: DART cases
“Days away from work, days of restricted work activity or job transfer (DART) are cases that involve days away from work and days of restricted work activity, or job transfer.
Cases involving days away from work (DAFW) are cases requiring at least one day away from work with or without days of job transfer or restriction.
Job transfer or restriction cases (DJTR) occur when, as a result of a work-related injury or illness, an employer or health care professional keeps, or recommends keeping an employee from doing the routine functions of his or her job or from working the full workday that the employee would have been scheduled to work before the injury or illness occurred.”
Bureau of Labor Statistics: the incidence rate
“Incidence rate is the number of injuries and/or illnesses per 100 full-time workers and were calculated as: (N/EH) X 200,000 where:
N = number of injuries and/or illnesses
EH = total hours worked by all employees during the calendar year
200,000 = base for 100 full-time equivalent workers (working 40 hours per week, 50 weeks per year).”
How to calculate it
DART rate = (N ÷ EH) × 200,000
N is the number of cases, EH is the total hours worked by all employees in the calendar year, and 200,000 is the base for 100 full-time workers.
Example, with invented numbers: 3 DART cases over 400,000 hours worked gives (3 ÷ 400,000) × 200,000 = 1.5.
To compare your rate with employers in your industry, use TRIR and DART benchmarking.
Searched the eCFR text of 29 CFR part 1904 as of October 27, 2026. It contains none of these words or phrases: “DART”, “days away, restricted”, “incidence rate”, “200,000”.
Where the inputs come from
- 29 CFR 1904.7, General recording criteria 24 paragraphs use these words. Read the text on eCFR.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Safety and Health Definitions”. Page last modified November 8, 2023. Read October 29, 2026.
- 29 CFR part 1904. eCFR, text as of October 27, 2026, searched for the words listed above.
Written by Cairn, updated . The quoted text is copied from the sources above. A test compares each quotation with a stored copy of the source, and a separate script compares that copy with the live sources. This page explains the law and is not legal advice.