INCIDENCE RATE CALCULATOR
This calculator will allow you to find your company's Lost Workday Injury and Illness (LWDII) Incidence rate, and if you wish, compare it with other companies engaged in the same business as you. The comparison is based on the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tables of injury data, organized by Standard Industrial Code (SIC)1
OSHA uses the LWDII to determine which facilities it will inspect under its "Targeted Inspections Program", and each year requires selected businesses to submit information about their employee injuries, including the LWDII. If you've been selected by OSHA to provide this data, or if you just want to compare your accident experience with others in your industry, this page is for you.
Here's how to use the calculator:
Step 1: Into the first window, type the total number of injuries and illnesses that resulted in lost workdays, transfers to away from normal job (due to illnesses and injuries), and restricted workdays, for the year2. This information can be found in your OSHA 300 log3,and will be a total of columns H and I.
Step 2: Into the second window, type the total number of hours worked by all employees throughout the year2.(NOTE: Do not use commas, periods or any character other than numbers.)
Step 3: Click on the "Calculate" button. The resulting number in the third window is your LWDII.
Comparing Your Company's Incidence Rate
(Note: You may wish to print these instructions.)
Step 1: Determine your company's SIC code. If you do not know your company's SIC code, click here.
Step 3: Note the first line on the BLS table is for "Private Industry", and is the average of all industries. The applicable number is in the 4thcolumn from the left, labeled "Total4". This is the LWDII for all Private Industry, and really is more of a general information item.
Step 4: To compare your figure with those in your SIC group, find the descriptive name of your industry in the first column on the left. Narrow down the description of your industry by finding the numerical SIC code in the second column from the left. If possible, try to find the 4-digit code that fits exactly. Although 2-and 3-digit codes will get you "in the ballpark", the 4 digit code narrows the comparison to those businesses most like yours.
Step 5. On the same line that your descriptive name and SIC code appear, find the number in the 4th column from the left, labeled "Total4". This is the LWDII rate for your SIC group. If your figure is lower than this number, congratulations-you're doing better than most in your group. If your figure is higher, you might want to see what more you can do to control lost-time injuries and illnesses.
Notes:
1 In 2003 and 2004, a new system, "The North American Industry Classification System" (NAICS), is scheduled to begin replacing the Standard Industrial Code (SIC). Click here for information about the new system and the transition.
2 The "year" used for calculation will normally be a regular calendar year, January 1 through December 31.
3 OSHA recordkeeping regulations require that most businesses with 11 or more employees maintain a log of occupational injuries and illnesses. Click here for the OSHA 300 log. In addition, for a list of industries (by SIC codes) partially exempt from OSHA recordkeeping, click here.
2 The "year" used for calculation will normally be a regular calendar year, January 1 through December 31.
(Note: Individual files can be downloaded by right clicking on link and choosing "Save Target As". Files require Acrobat Reader to view, which can be downloaded for free by clicking on icon.)
