What is the OSHA incident rate formula?

The OSHA incident rate formula is designed to provide a standardized way to measure workplace injuries over a specific period, allowing for easier comparison across different organizations or industries. The correct formula is based on the number of injuries relative to the number of hours worked, normalized to a standard figure to ensure clarity and consistency in reporting.

In this formula, "IR" stands for injury rate, which is calculated by taking the number of injuries recorded during a specific period (usually a year), dividing by the number of employee hours worked, and then multiplying by 200,000. The figure of 200,000 is used to represent the number of hours that 100 employees would work in a year (40 hours a week for 50 weeks). This normalization helps convey the data in a more understandable way, allowing for the assessment of risk and safety across different organizations.

Using this methodology not only aids in tracking the safety performance of a workplace but also helps in identifying trends or areas that require improvement. Thus, the correct answer effectively aligns with OSHA’s goal of promoting safer working environments through accurate injury reporting and analysis.