Resources > What is TRIR?
What Is TRIR? Understanding Total Recordable Incident Rate & How to Improve It
TRIR, or Total Recordable Incident Rate, is a critical safety metric used to evaluate workplace safety performance across industries. If you're managing an EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety) program, understanding TRIR—and how to calculate and improve it—can help you prevent incidents, lower costs, and maintain regulatory compliance.
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In this guide, we’ll break down the meaning of TRIR, the TRIR formula, and how to interpret and act on your results. We’ll also show how tools like our TRIR Calculator and EHS Incident Management software can help you track, manage, and reduce your safety risk over time.
TRIR Calculator
What Does TRIR Stand For?
TRIR stands for Total Recordable Incident Rate. It’s an OSHA-defined metric that measures the number of recordable workplace injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time workers in a given year.
A “recordable incident” includes:
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Work-related injuries or illnesses resulting in death
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Loss of consciousness
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Days away from work
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Restricted work activity or job transfer
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Medical treatment beyond first aid
Why Is TRIR Important?
1. Benchmarking Safety Performance
TRIR allows you to compare your company’s safety record against industry averages, giving a data-driven view of how you're performing.
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2. OSHA Compliance
High TRIR scores may trigger OSHA inspections or enforcement actions. Keeping your TRIR low shows proactive safety management and regulatory adherence.
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3. Insurance & Liability
Insurers use TRIR to assess risk. A high rate can result in higher premiums, whereas a low TRIR can help reduce your costs.
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4. Reputation & Hiring
Potential clients and employees alike may assess your TRIR when considering doing business or joining your team. A high rate could signal poor workplace safety culture.
TRIR Formula: How to Calculate TRIR
To calculate your TRIR, use the OSHA standard formula:
TRIR = (Number of Recordable Incidents × 200,000) ÷ Total Hours Worked
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200,000 = OSHA benchmark for 100 employees working 40 hours a week, 50 weeks a year
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Total Hours Worked = Only include actual hours worked, not vacation or leave
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Recordable Incidents = As defined by OSHA, not including minor injuries
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Example:
If your company experienced 4 recordable incidents in one year, and your workforce clocked 425,000 total hours:
TRIR = (4 × 200,000) ÷ 425,000 = 1.88
This means your TRIR is 1.88.
What Is a Good TRIR?
A “good” TRIR depends on your industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), industries like construction or manufacturing tend to have higher average TRIRs, while sectors like finance or tech have lower ones.
As a benchmark:
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A TRIR below 2.0 is considered strong in high-risk industries
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Aim for continuous improvement, not perfection—tracking trends matters more than a single number
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How to Lower Your TRIR
Reducing your TRIR means reducing workplace incidents. Here are actionable strategies:
1. Foster a Safety-First Culture
Engage employees at every level to take ownership of safety. Encourage the reporting of near-misses, celebrate safety milestones, and make safety part of daily operations.
2. Implement Structured Incident Investigations
Ensure all incidents are investigated thoroughly using a consistent process. This helps identify root causes and prevent recurrence.
3. Track and Act on Safety Metrics
Use advanced analytics and dashboards to monitor incident trends and response times. Integrating safety data across systems can help you spot risks early.
Power Your Safety Program with EHS SmartStart
Our EHS Incident Management solution is designed to help you capture, investigate, and prevent workplace incidents—while continuously improving your TRIR score.
Key Features Include:
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Real-Time Incident Capture: Log and categorize incidents, assign accountability, and attach documentation.
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Structured Investigations: Create clear workflows for reviewing incidents and implementing corrective actions.
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Advanced Analytics: Spot trends using dashboards and reports to improve safety protocols and compliance.
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Lost Time Analysis: Understand the productivity impact of incidents and take preventive action.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is TRIR in safety?
TRIR reflects how often recordable workplace incidents occur per 100 full-time workers annually. It’s a core OSHA metric for evaluating safety performance.
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How is TRIR different from LTIR?
LTIR (Lost Time Incident Rate) only includes incidents that result in missed workdays. TRIR includes a broader scope of recordable incidents.
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How often should I calculate TRIR?
At a minimum, annually. However, tracking TRIR quarterly or monthly provides better visibility into emerging safety trends.
