1. What is the OSHA 20 Severity Rate?

The OSHA Severity Rate is a safety metric that measures the severity of workplace injuries and illnesses. It calculates the number of lost workdays per 200,000 employee hours worked (equivalent to 100 full-time workers for one year).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the OSHA Severity Rate formula:

Where:

• \( Days \) — Total days lost due to work-related injuries/illnesses
• \( Hours \) — Total hours worked by all employees during the period
• 200,000 — Base for 100 full-time equivalent workers (50 weeks × 40 hours × 100 workers)

Explanation: The formula standardizes injury severity across organizations of different sizes by using a common base of 200,000 hours.

3. Importance of Severity Rate Calculation

Details: The severity rate helps organizations track safety performance, identify trends, and benchmark against industry standards. Lower rates indicate better safety management.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter total days lost (can be decimal for partial days) and total hours worked. Hours must be greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between incidence rate and severity rate?
A: Incidence rate counts the number of injuries/illnesses, while severity rate measures the days lost due to them.

Q2: What is a good severity rate?
A: There's no universal "good" rate as it varies by industry. Compare with your industry average and aim for continuous improvement.

Q3: How should days lost be counted?
A: Count calendar days (not work days) from the day after injury until return to work, including weekends and holidays.

Q4: What if an employee never returns to work?
A: OSHA provides specific counting rules for permanent disabilities and fatalities in their recordkeeping guidelines.

Q5: How often should severity rate be calculated?
A: Typically calculated annually, but can be done quarterly or monthly for more frequent monitoring.