What a DART rate measures
The DART rate tracks serious workplace injuries. DART stands for days away, restricted or transferred. You enter your number of DART cases. You also enter the total hours worked. The tool returns a rate per one hundred full-time workers. That number lets you compare safety over time.
Why the DART rate matters
Safety records guide audits and insurance. A high DART rate flags real risk on site. A low one suggests safer practice. Regulators and clients often check this figure. It turns scattered incidents into one clear measure. A clear figure also guides where to focus.
How to use this calculator
Enter two numbers. First put in your count of DART cases. Then enter the total hours worked by all staff. The tool scales the cases to a standard base. It shows the DART rate at the top.
How it is calculated
The formula uses a fixed base. DART rate = (DART cases × 200000) / hours worked. The base stands for one hundred full-time workers. You scale your cases to that size. The result is a plain rate, not money. The same base lets firms compare fairly.
A worked example
Say you had three DART cases this year. Your staff worked two hundred fifty thousand hours. Multiply three by two hundred thousand, then divide. The result is two point four. That is your DART rate for the period.
Reading the result
A lower rate means fewer serious injuries. Compare yours to the average for your industry. Many fields publish a yearly benchmark. A rate above it is a warning sign. The trend over years matters most.
What counts as a DART case
A DART case keeps a worker off normal duty. It means days away, restricted work or transfer. A minor first-aid case does not count. Be clear on which cases qualify. Use one rule so periods stay comparable. Consistent counting keeps the rate honest.
Common mistakes to avoid
One slip is counting first-aid as a DART case. Another is using the wrong hours figure. People also forget overtime in the hours. Each error shifts the DART rate. Use clean records for a fair result.
The limits of this tool
This calculator gives one rate only. It does not show the cause of injuries. It cannot split sites or teams for you. It also ignores how serious each case was. Use it as a signal, not a full report.
Using the DART rate to improve
A high rate is a prompt to act. Review the tasks behind the cases. Check training and protective gear. The DART rate points to where risk sits. The fixes come from a closer look. Small changes can lower the rate fast.
A final tip
Track the rate each year for a clear trend. Compare it to your industry benchmark. Watch whether one task drives the cases. A steady measure keeps your safety read honest. Year-on-year numbers reveal the real direction.