1. What is OSHA Lost Time?

OSHA defines lost time as days an employee is away from work due to a work-related injury or illness. This metric helps organizations track workplace safety and is used for OSHA recordkeeping requirements.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses OSHA's standard formula:

Where:

• Days Off Work — Calendar days the employee was unable to work
• Restricted Work Days — Days the employee worked but with restrictions

Explanation: OSHA requires recording injuries that result in death, days away from work, restricted work, or medical treatment beyond first aid.

3. Importance of Lost Time Calculation

Details: Tracking lost time helps organizations identify safety issues, measure safety performance, and comply with OSHA recordkeeping regulations (29 CFR 1904).

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total days the employee was away from work due to injury. Optionally include days with work restrictions. The calculator will determine if the case is OSHA recordable.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What counts as a lost time injury?
A: Any work-related injury or illness that results in the employee missing one or more full days of work.

Q2: How does OSHA define a recordable case?
A: Any work-related injury or illness that results in death, days away from work, restricted work, transfer to another job, medical treatment beyond first aid, or loss of consciousness.

Q3: Are weekends and holidays counted in lost time?
A: Yes, OSHA counts all calendar days the employee was unable to work, including weekends and holidays.

Q4: What's the difference between lost time and restricted work?
A: Lost time is days completely away from work, while restricted work means the employee worked but couldn't perform all regular job duties.

Q5: How is this data used?
A: Organizations use it to calculate incident rates (TRIR, DART) and identify areas for safety improvement.