Free accident book template
A printable accident book record for UK workplaces, with every detail the law requires and the extra information HSE inspectors and insurers look for. Available as a PDF, a Word document and an Excel log.
Download the template
Excel or Google Sheets log
A CSV accident log with one row per accident. Opens in Excel and Sheets.
Download CSVFree to use, no sign-up needed.
What the template includes
Each record has 20 fields in 5 sections, based on the details required by the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1979, the law that sets out what an accident book must record.
About the person who had the accident
- Full name
- Home address
- Postcode
- Occupation or role
- Person type (employee, contractor, visitor, pupil, other)
About the person completing this record (if not the injured person)
- Full name
- Home address
- Occupation or role
About the accident
- Date of accident
- Time of accident
- Exact location
- What happened? (describe the cause)
- Injury and body part affected
- First aid or treatment given
- Witnesses (names and contact details)
For the employer or manager
- Is this RIDDOR reportable? (Yes / No) and HSE reference if reported
- Actions taken to prevent it happening again
- Reviewed by (name and date)
Signatures
- Signature of person making the entry
- Date of entry
How to use an accident book template
- Use one page for each accident. Keeping records on separate pages protects people's personal data, as required by UK GDPR.
- Fill in the record as soon as possible after the accident. The injured person, or someone acting for them, can complete it.
- Once complete, remove the page and store it securely (for example in a locked cabinet) where only authorised people can see it.
- Keep records for at least three years from the date of entry. Records about children are often kept until they turn 21.
- Check whether the accident is reportable under RIDDOR. Deaths and specified injuries must be reported without delay, and over-7-day injuries within 15 days.
- Record near misses too. They help you spot hazards before someone is hurt.
Not sure what to write? Read our guides on accident book entry examples and who is responsible for filling it in.
The problem with paper accident books
A template is a good start, but paper records have limits. Books get lost or damaged, pages are filled in without the details you need, and nobody spots a RIDDOR-reportable injury until the deadline has passed. Records spread across sites also make it hard to see patterns and review your accident book properly.
Prefer a digital accident book?
Accident Book captures the same details from a QR code on any phone, alerts managers straight away, checks RIDDOR and keeps every record secure. £9.99 per site per month, with a 7-day free trial.