Accident investigation form template
A clear accident investigation form template to record incidents, identify causes, and implement corrective actions effectively.
- 1 page / 213 words.
- Last updated 18/09/2025.
- Designed for United Kingdom use.
- Suitable for use in other territories; check local laws first.
- Instantly download as Word / PDF / plain text, or send by email.
- Includes 12 months’ access, with all updates to this page provided free of charge and notified to you.
Accident investigation form
| Department/Project: | |
| Investigator: | |
| Report date: | |
| Reference: | |
| Investigator's telephone number: | |
| Full address and location of accident: | |
| Date of accident: | |
| Time of accident: |
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The purpose of an accident investigation form is to gather detailed information about an accident or incident that occurred in the workplace.
The form serves several key purposes:
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Recordkeeping: It provides a documented record of the accident, ensuring that all relevant details, including date, time, location, individuals involved, and witnesses, are captured accurately. This information is essential for future reference, analysis, and compliance purposes.
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Fact-Finding: The form facilitates a structured approach to collecting facts and evidence related to the accident. It prompts the person completing the form to document the sequence of events, contributing factors, and any potential hazards or unsafe conditions that may have contributed to the incident.
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Root Cause Analysis: An accident investigation form allows for a thorough examination of the underlying causes of the accident. By documenting contributing factors, equipment failures, human errors, or system deficiencies, the form helps identify the root causes, enabling corrective actions to be implemented effectively.
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Preventive Measures: The form assists in identifying preventive measures and control measures to mitigate the risk of similar accidents in the future. It prompts the investigator to propose recommendations and corrective actions that address the root causes and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
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Compliance: The completion of an accident investigation form may fulfil legal or regulatory requirements for reporting and documenting workplace accidents. It helps ensure compliance with applicable health and safety regulations and facilitates cooperation with regulatory authorities, if necessary.
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Communication and Awareness: The form serves as a means of communication within the organisation. Sharing the investigation findings and the resulting actions with relevant stakeholders helps raise awareness about the incident, potential risks, and safety measures, fostering a culture of transparency and accountability.
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Continuous Improvement: By analysing trends and patterns revealed through multiple accident investigation forms, organisations can identify areas for improvement in their health and safety management systems. This leads to the development of preventive strategies, training programmes, policy enhancements, and other measures aimed at enhancing workplace safety.
Compliance
Compliance
This Accident investigation form template incorporates relevant UK laws and HR standards, including those listed below:
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Health and Safety at Work Act 1974: Places a duty on employers to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of employees, including conducting accident investigations to prevent future incidents.
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Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR): Requires employers to report and investigate certain types of accidents, injuries, and near-misses that occur in the workplace.
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Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999: Obliges employers to conduct risk assessments and take appropriate measures to prevent accidents, including the implementation of accident investigation procedures.
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Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002: Requires employers to assess and control the risks posed by hazardous substances, investigate accidents involving such substances, and take preventive measures.
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Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER): Mandates employers to ensure that work equipment is safe, suitable, and regularly inspected, and to investigate accidents involving work equipment.
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The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences (Amendment) Regulations 2012: Expands the scope of RIDDOR reporting and emphasizes the importance of thorough accident investigation.
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The Equality Act 2010: Ensures that employers investigate accidents and incidents that may have resulted from discrimination or harassment based on protected characteristics.
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Employment Contracts and Company Policies: Internal policies and contractual obligations may require employers to conduct accident investigations and maintain records as part of their commitment to health and safety in the workplace.
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Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992: Provides employees who are members of trade unions with the right to be represented during accident investigations, ensuring fair and transparent processes.
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Common Law Duty of Care: Employers have a legal duty of care to provide a safe working environment, and accident investigations are an essential part of fulfilling this duty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I use this template in my small business?
Yes. The Accident investigation form template is designed to be flexible and suitable for organisations of all sizes, including small businesses and charities. It follows UK employment law best practice, so even if you don't have an in-house HR team, you can confidently apply it.
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Is this template compliant with 2025 UK employment law?
Absolutely. All of our templates are drafted with the latest ACAS guidance and UK employment legislation in mind. We review and update them regularly, so you can be confident they remain compliant.
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Can I customise it for my organisation?
Yes, we highlight the areas that you need to update with your own details, and where you need to make decisions to suit your situation. This saves you time and ensures that you meet best practice.
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Do I get instant access?
Yes. Once purchased, you'll be able to download it instantly. Templates are provided in editable Word or Excel format so you can customise them easily, and in PDF format for easy sharing.
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What if I need more help, not just this template?
If you're looking for broader support, we also offer toolkits and library bundles that include this template, along with other HR templates and policies for fully managing your situation. These may be more cost-effective if you need deeper advice.
