When it comes to maintaining a safe and productive workplace, few metrics hold as much weight as the DART rate. DART — Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred — measures the most serious workplace injuries and illnesses, and while it’s a crucial benchmark for OSHA and industry comparisons, it’s also a key reflection of the human and financial cost of preventable incidents.
The path forward? A well-designed, comprehensive Return-to-Work (RTW) program.
What is a DART Rate?
The DART rate captures workplace incidents that result in days away from work, restricted duties, or job transfers due to injury or illness. It’s calculated using this formula:
(DART Incidents × 200,000) / Total Hours Worked in a Year
You can use this easy tool: BLS DART Calculator
Why It Matters:
DART is more than a number — it’s a direct reflection of safety culture, employee well-being, and operational performance. A rising DART rate often signals:
The Merits of DART Rates:
The Drawbacks:
DART rates are a widely used indicator that can be very useful, but to get the most of the information it is essential to incorporate other metrics. By considering lost time/wages and medical costs you can get a more comprehensive picture of health in your workplace.
With the right interventions, DART data can guide improvements and support long-term injury prevention — and that’s where Return-to-Work programs come in.
What is a Return-to-Work Program?
A RTW program is a structured, employer-driven process designed to safely reintegrate injured employees into the workplace. It balances safety, medical guidance, and operational needs to ensure that both the employee and the employer benefit.
Key Benefits:
Common Challenges:
The Foundation of an Effective RTW Program
“To be most effective, an RTW program includes a task or job analysis and identification of alternative work assignments, with participation of medical providers, safety professionals, injured employees, and supervisors and an individual trained in ergonomics to facilitate the job placement process.”
— Bernacki, Edward J. ; A Guidera, Jill ; Schaefer, John A, et al. A facilitated Early Return to Work Program at a Large Urban Medical Center. Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. 2000 ; Vol. 42, No. 12. pp. 1172-1177. Cited by: Daley, et al. JOSPT. 2021
Return-to-Work is not one-size-fits-all. It requires a flexible, tailored approach, supported by five key tools:
Why It Matters:
A job analysis documents the physical, cognitive, and environmental demands of a role. It helps clarify job expectations, guides accommodations, and ensures modified duties match restrictions.
Benefits:
What It Is:
Temporary, modified job tasks that help employees re-engage in work while healing. Each assignment has clear timeframes and goals, aligned with medical guidance.
Benefits:
The Approach:
Ergonomic interventions adjust workspaces and tasks to fit employee needs — reducing physical strain, improving posture, and eliminating hazards before they lead to re-injury.
Benefits:
Trending in 2025:
What It Offers:
One-on-one support that addresses both physical limitations and psychological barriers. Job coaches act as liaisons between employees and employers.
Benefits:
Emerging Trend:
Mental health integration, including stress management resources and counseling access as part of the RTW experience.
Definition:
Adjustments to work tasks, environments, or schedules to help employees return safely and productively.
Examples:
Benefits:
A few trends shaping the future of effective RTW strategies:
Managing your DART rate isn’t just about reacting to injuries, it’s about building a proactive, personalized, and effective Return-to-Work program. The most successful strategies use:
With these tools in place, your organization can reduce lost time, improve employee outcomes, and build a resilient, future-ready safety culture.
You can watch the full webinar covering this topic from Briotix Health below:
Need help building or refining your Return-to-Work program?
A strong RTW program is more than policy; it’s a path to productivity, engagement, and long-term injury prevention. Let’s talk about how to make it work for your team.