Imagine a worker on a construction site slips and fractures their wrist. They head to the clinic, get a cast, and assume they’ll be back tomorrow. 

Instead, the doctor hands them a note for two weeks off work. This isn’t just a personal setback; it’s a recordable incident that safety managers track closely. 

This event is precisely what a lost-time injury is.

In simple terms, a lost-time injury (LTI) is a workplace incident so severe that it prevents an employee from performing their regular job duties and returning to work for their next scheduled shift. 

It’s a key metric that goes beyond first aid, signaling a significant failure in hazard control.

The impact is substantial. 

For the worker, it means recovery and lost wages. For the company, it affects productivity, increases WSIB premiums, and flags serious problems in the safety program. 

In Canada, despite improvements, thousands of LTIs still occur annually, highlighting a critical area for prevention.

This guide will break down the LTI definition, provide clear examples, explain why it’s a cornerstone safety KPI, and show how leading organizations use this data to build safer workplaces for everyone.

What Is a Lost-Time Injury (LTI)?

A lost-time injury (LTI) is a workplace injury or illness that is severe enough to prevent an employee from returning to work and performing their regular, scheduled job duties for at least one full day or shift following the incident.

This term is also commonly referred to as a lost-time accident, a recordable lost-time incident, or simply workplace lost-time injuries.

The definition is standardized by major occupational health and safety bodies to ensure consistent reporting. Key governing definitions include:

• OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) in the U.S. categorizes these as injuries involving days away from work.
• HSE (Health and Safety Executive) in the UK has similar criteria for a "specified injury" leading to an absence.
• ISO 45001, the international standard for occupational health and safety management systems, emphasizes the importance of tracking such incidents to measure performance.

It is crucial to understand that not every workplace injury qualifies as an LTI. Incidents that only require first aid or allow the employee to return to their regular or modified duties on their next scheduled shift are not classified as lost-time injuries. 

Examples of Lost-Time Injuries

Lost-time injuries can happen in many different ways, often during routine tasks. Here are some real-world examples:

• Fractures from slips and falls: A worker slips on an icy surface, breaks a leg, and cannot return for weeks.
• Back strain from heavy lifting: Improper lifting techniques cause a severe strain, forcing days or even months of recovery.
• Chemical exposure: Contact with hazardous substances results in hospitalization, preventing the employee from reporting to their next shift.
• Machinery-related accidents: Hands or limbs caught in equipment may require surgery and extended time off.

It’s important to note that even what seems like a “minor” injury may still be a lost-time injury if it causes the worker to miss scheduled work. 

For example, a deep cut that needs stitches could count as an LTI if the employee cannot safely return the next day.

On the other hand, not all injuries qualify. Situations where only first aid is required (such as a small burn treated on-site or a minor cut cleaned and bandaged) do not count as LTIs since no work time is lost.

Why Do Lost-Time Injuries Matter for Safety KPIs?

Lost-time injuries (LTIs) are more than just records of accidents; they’re a key performance indicator (KPI) for workplace safety. 

Employers closely track LTIs because they reveal how often hazards lead to serious consequences that take workers off the job.

By monitoring LTIs, companies can:

• Track workplace hazards: Spot patterns in accidents and identify high-risk tasks.
• Benchmark against industry standards: Compare performance with competitors and ensure compliance with Canadian safety regulations.
• Identify safety gaps: Highlight where training, equipment, or procedures need improvement.

The impact goes beyond numbers. A higher rate of LTIs can drive up workers’ compensation premiums, attract regulatory attention, and lower team morale. 

When employees see frequent injuries, confidence in the company’s commitment to safety often drops.

Fewer LTIs, on the other hand, signal a stronger safety culture. They show that risks are being managed, workers are protected, and operations run more smoothly. 

Reducing LTIs not only keeps people safe but also improves efficiency, reputation, and long-term business stability.

How to Calculate Lost-Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR)

One of the most common ways to measure safety performance is through the Lost-Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR). This metric helps employers compare their safety record with others in the same industry, regardless of company size.

The formula is:

LTIFR = (Number of LTIs × 1,000,000) ÷ (Total hours worked)

The multiplier of 1,000,000 is used to standardize results across different organizations and industries. It ensures a fair comparison by showing the number of LTIs per one million hours worked.

Example Calculation

If a company reports 2 LTIs over 500,000 total hours worked, the calculation would be:

LTIFR = (2 × 1,000,000) ÷ 500,000 = 4

This means the company had 4 lost-time injuries per one million hours worked.

Related Safety KPIs

TRIR (Total Recordable Incident Rate): Tracks all recordable incidents, not just LTIs.

Severity Rate: Measures how serious injuries are, based on days lost.

Together, these KPIs provide a clearer picture of workplace safety, helping Canadian employers track trends, meet compliance standards, and focus on prevention.

Lost-Time Injuries vs. Other Recordable Injuries

Not every workplace injury is classified as a lost-time injury. Safety regulators such as OSHA (in the U.S.) and the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) categorize incidents differently, depending on the severity and impact. 

LTIs fall in the middle; more serious than first aid or medical treatment cases, but less severe than fatalities.

Here’s how LTIs compare with other recordable injury categories:

Under OSHA and HSE reporting standards, all of these categories are recordable incidents. LTIs are particularly important because they directly affect safety KPIs and insurance reporting.

By understanding the difference between these categories, employers can better track safety performance, focus on prevention, and reduce both human and financial costs.

Industry Benchmarks for LTIs

Here are some industry benchmarks for lost-time injuries (LTIs), plus sources and what they tell us. Note: exact Canadian LTI frequency rates are harder to get by industry, but U.S. and Canadian reports can help us estimate or benchmark.

Canadian Data & Sources

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) in Ontario publishes “Lost Time Injury Rates by Industry Sector.” You can find sector-by-sector rates, showing which industries have more lost-time injuries per employee or per hours worked. 

Provincial agencies like WorkSafeBC also publish classification/rate lists which correlate industry risk and insurance premiums, which often reflect LTI experience. 

Why Benchmarking Matters

It helps companies see where they stand relative to similar firms and industries;  this reveals whether their safety programs are working well.

Benchmark data offers realistic goals: if industry average LTI frequency is, say, “4 per million hours” in construction, then aiming lower (say “2-3”) is possible.

Regulators and insurers often expect benchmarking: better safety performance leads to lower insurance premiums, better regulatory compliance, and better reputations (both for recruiting and contracting).

Impact of Lost-Time Injuries on Business

Lost-time injuries don’t just affect workers, they carry significant consequences for employers too. The impact shows up in multiple ways:

1. Direct Costs

Every LTI comes with immediate financial burdens such as medical bills, workers’ compensation claims, and potential legal fees. In Canada, the average compensation cost of a lost-time claim was over $52,000 in 2025 (AWCBC), showing how quickly expenses can add up.

2. Indirect Costs

In addition to the bills, LTIs drain productivity. A sidelined worker means fewer hands on the job, which often forces employers to schedule overtime or bring in temporary replacements. These adjustments can reduce efficiency and lower overall morale.

3. Reputation Risks

A poor safety record can damage a company’s credibility. Clients, contractors, and investors may see a high LTI rate as a sign of weak safety practices, which can affect contract bids and stakeholder confidence.

Real-World Example

Consider a construction project where a crane operator suffers a back injury and is off work for several weeks. 

The company must train a replacement, delay critical lifts, and absorb added labour costs. The project timeline stretches, budgets balloon, and client trust takes a hit; all because of one lost-time injury.

Strategies to Reduce Lost-Time Injuries

Preventing lost-time injuries (LTIs) starts with a proactive approach. By building a culture of safety and addressing risks before they become incidents, employers can lower injury rates and improve overall performance. Here are key strategies:

1. Proactive Hazard Identification

Regular workplace inspections and risk assessments help spot hazards early; whether it’s a slippery floor, faulty wiring, or an overloaded shelf. Acting quickly reduces the chance of accidents that lead to LTIs.

2. Safety Training Programs

Training ensures workers know how to handle equipment, follow procedures, and respond to emergencies. Refresher courses keep safety knowledge current and reduce human error.

Additionally, accident incident investigation training can help the workers learn how to collect and analyze information about an accident systematically. 

This process helps to determine what factors contributed to the accident and what steps can be taken to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

3. Ergonomics and Proper Lifting Techniques

Musculoskeletal injuries are a common cause of LTIs in Canada. Teaching employees correct lifting methods and providing ergonomic tools, like adjustable workstations or mechanical aids, helps prevent back strains and sprains.

4. Regular Equipment Maintenance

Well-maintained tools and machinery are less likely to fail. Preventive maintenance schedules can cut down on accidents caused by malfunctions or wear-and-tear.

5. Strong Incident Reporting Culture

Encouraging workers to report near-misses or unsafe conditions creates awareness and helps fix problems before they escalate into LTIs.

Reducing LTIs directly improves safety KPIs. A downward trend in lost-time injuries signals a safer workplace, higher productivity, and a stronger safety culture across the organization.

Employer Responsibilities & Compliance

Employers in Canada and elsewhere have clear legal duties when it comes to managing lost-time injuries (LTIs). 

These responsibilities are defined by regulators such as OSHA in the U.S., provincial workers’ compensation boards like Ontario’s WSIB, and the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS).

Legal Obligations

Employers are required to:

• Provide safe working conditions and proper protective equipment.
• Accurately report lost-time injuries.
• Notify workers’ compensation boards promptly when an LTI occurs.

Most provinces also require employers to keep detailed injury records and cooperate with inspections or audits.

Reporting & Recordkeeping

Accurate reporting is the foundation of compliance. Employers must document every LTI, submit claims on time, and maintain logs that regulators can review when needed.

Roles in Compliance

• Safety officers: monitor hazards, enforce safe practices, and recommend corrective actions.
• HR teams: handle claims, coordinate return-to-work programs, and support employees during recovery.
• Management: sets the tone by prioritizing safety in budgets, policies, and day-to-day operations.

Consequences of Underreporting

Failing to report LTIs can lead to fines, higher insurance premiums, or even criminal liability in severe cases. Just as important, underreporting erodes employee trust and signals that safety isn’t a true priority.

Maintaining strong compliance not only prevents penalties, it shows a commitment to worker well-being and strengthens the overall safety culture in the workplace.

FAQs

What qualifies as a lost-time injury?

A lost-time injury is any work-related incident that prevents an employee from returning to their next scheduled shift, such as fractures, strains, or chemical exposures.

How is LTIFR calculated?

The Lost-Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) is calculated using the formula: (Number of LTIs × 1,000,000) ÷ Total hours worked, allowing fair comparison across industries.

What’s the difference between LTI and TRIR?

LTI measures only injuries that cause missed work, while TRIR (Total Recordable Incident Rate) includes all recordable incidents, such as medical treatment and restricted work cases.

Which industries have the highest LTI rates?

Industries with heavy physical work (construction, oil & gas, mining, healthcare, and manufacturing) typically report the highest LTI rates due to greater exposure to hazards.

How can companies reduce lost-time injuries?

Employers can cut LTIs by identifying hazards early, offering regular safety training, maintaining equipment, promoting ergonomic practices, and encouraging a strong incident reporting culture.

Conclusion

Lost-time injuries (LTIs) are more than statistics; they’re a clear signal of how well a workplace protects its people. 

Unlike minor incidents, LTIs show when safety gaps lead to real downtime, making them one of the most important measures of safety performance. 

Tracking LTIs helps employers stay compliant with Canadian regulations, avoid costly compensation claims, and maintain a productive workforce.

Fewer LTIs reflect a stronger safety culture. They show that hazards are being identified, employees are properly trained, and leadership values prevention. 

This directly improves key safety KPIs, strengthens morale, and lowers overall business risk.

For employers, the message is simple: every LTI prevented is a win for both workers and the organization. 

If you’re looking to improve compliance, reduce injuries, and strengthen your safety metrics, explore Canada Safety Training’s workplace safety programs.