If you’re an HR leader or safety officer in a high-risk industry, chances are you’ve heard the term TRIR tossed around in meetings, pre-bid paperwork, or OSHA consultations. But what exactly is it, and why does it have such a major impact on your company’s bottom line and reputation?
In this blog, we’ll break down:
- What TRIR means (in plain English)
- How it’s calculated
- Why your TRIR score affects your business
- And most importantly—how to keep it low without cutting corners
What Is TRIR?
TRIR stands for Total Recordable Incident Rate. It’s an OSHA metric used to track workplace safety performance across industries.
Think of it like a “safety GPA” that shows how many recordable injuries your company has per 100 full-time workers in a year.
The formula is:
(Number of OSHA Recordable Cases x 200,000) / Total Employee Hours Worked
Where 200,000 represents the total hours 100 full-time employees would work in a year (40 hours/week x 50 weeks/year).
For example: If your company had 3 OSHA recordables in a year and logged 100,000 total hours worked, your TRIR would be:
(3 x 200,000) / 100,000 = 6.0
That’s considered high in most industries.
What Counts as an OSHA Recordable?
Not every incident makes the OSHA books. A recordable injury is one that involves:
- Days away from work
- Restricted work or light duty
- Medical treatment beyond first aid
- Loss of consciousness
- Diagnosis of a significant injury/illness by a licensed healthcare professional
This is where working with an experienced OccMed partner like OccMedMD can make a huge difference—we know how to treat injuries within OSHA guidelines, so you’re not over-reporting unnecessarily.
Why TRIR Matters More Than You Think
- It Impacts Your Ability to Win Contracts
A high TRIR can disqualify you from bids—especially on large construction or industrial projects. Many clients request your TRIR before awarding a contract. - It Affects Insurance Costs
Workers’ comp premiums are directly influenced by your incident rates. Lower TRIR = lower EMR = lower premiums. - It Signals Your Safety Culture
Your TRIR is a public number. It reflects how seriously you take worker safety. A poor score can hurt morale, recruiting, and retention.
How to Protect and Improve Your TRIR
- Be Proactive, Not Reactive
Most injuries are preventable. Invest in training, PPE, and a culture where safety is everyone’s job. - Respond Smart When Incidents Happen
Every minute counts. Partner with an OccMed clinic like OccMedMD that can:
- See employees same- or next-day
- Offer first aid care and conservative treatment
- Provide OSHA-savvy documentation
- Use Modified Duty to Avoid Lost Time
Keeping an employee at work in any capacity can prevent a “days away from work” recordable. Have modified duty options ready to go. - Audit and Learn from Every Incident
Don’t just file the paperwork—investigate and improve. What went wrong? How do we prevent it from happening again? - Track Hours and Cases Accurately
TRIR is a math equation. Be precise with your logs. Don’t inflate your numbers by over-documenting.
Real Talk: What’s a Good TRIR?
It depends on your industry. But here are some rough benchmarks:
- Construction: 2.5 or below
- Manufacturing: 3.0 or below
- Warehousing: 4.0 or below
If your TRIR is higher than your industry average, it’s time to take action. OccMedMD can help you identify where those numbers are coming from—and how to bring them down.
Final Thoughts
TRIR may seem like just another acronym, but it has real consequences for your company’s financial health and competitive edge.
The good news? You have more control over it than you think. With the right partner, the right plan, and a strong safety culture, you can:
- Reduce injuries
- Avoid unnecessary recordables
- Keep your TRIR where it needs to be
Let’s make your numbers work for you.
Want to lower your TRIR without cutting corners?
We can help you respond smarter and build a better return-to-work strategy.