Free accident report form
Record a workplace accident or near miss in a few minutes. The form follows what HSE expects an accident record to contain and tells you whether the incident needs reporting under RIDDOR.
When you are done, print it, save it as a PDF or download an editable Word copy for your records.
Free, no sign-up. What you type stays on your device.
Accident report
Incident
| Type | |
|---|---|
| Date | |
| Time | |
| Exact location | |
| What happened |
Person involved
| Status | |
|---|---|
| Full name | |
| Role or reason for visit | |
| Contact details |
Witnesses
| Witnesses |
|---|
Follow-up
| Action to stop it happening again | |
|---|---|
| Record completed by | |
| Date completed |
Signature: ______________________________
Keep this record secure: it contains personal information. Keep accident records for at least 3 years. Created with the free accident report form at ambertraining.co.uk/tools.
After an accident
- Make the area safe and make sure the injured person gets first aid or medical help.
- Record what happened while it is fresh, including the names of any witnesses.
- Check whether it is reportable under RIDDOR and, if it is, report it to HSE in time.
- Work out why it happened and what will stop it happening again, then update your risk assessment.
Near misses count too
A near miss is an event that could have hurt someone but did not. Recording near misses shows you where the next accident is likely to happen, so you can fix it first. Most do not need reporting to HSE, but some listed dangerous occurrences do.
Common questions
Do I need an accident book?
Yes, if you normally employ 10 or more people at the same time on or about the same premises. The Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1979 require those employers to keep a way of recording accidents, on paper or electronically, and to keep each record for at least 3 years. HSE says you can buy its accident book or record the details in your own system.
What should an accident report include?
The date, time and place of the accident; the injured person's full name and occupation (or, for a member of the public, their status, such as customer or visitor); the injury; and a brief description of what happened. It is also sensible to record the first aid given, what happened next and any witnesses.
Which accidents must be reported to HSE?
Under RIDDOR you must report work-related deaths, specified injuries to workers (such as most fractures, amputations and serious burns), injuries that keep a worker off normal duties for more than 7 consecutive days, members of the public taken straight from the scene to hospital for treatment, certain occupational diseases and listed dangerous occurrences.
How quickly do I have to report under RIDDOR?
Deaths, specified injuries, injuries to members of the public taken to hospital and dangerous occurrences must be notified without delay, and HSE must receive the report within 10 days. Over-7-day injuries must be reported within 15 days of the accident. Fatal and specified injuries can also be reported by phone on 0345 300 9923.
How long should accident records be kept?
At least 3 years. RIDDOR requires records of reportable incidents and over-3-day injuries to be kept for at least 3 years, and accident book entries must also be kept for at least 3 years. Store them securely, because they contain personal information.
Is anything I type sent to Amber Training?
No. The form works entirely in your browser. Nothing is sent to us or saved, so print it, save a PDF or download the Word copy before you close the page.
Sources
- HSE, Types of reportable incidents (RIDDOR)
- HSE, When do I need to report an incident?
- HSE, Report accidents and illness: keep records
- RIDDOR 2013, regulation 12 and Schedule 1 (records)
- The Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1979, regulation 25 (accident book)
This tool gives general guidance based on the sources above. It is not legal advice, and your own assessment of your workplace decides what you need.
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