Accidents in the workplace

Businesses must record all accidents to staff and to visitors to the premises in a suitable log book.

The record should include the:

• date
• method of reporting
• time
• place of the event
• personal details of the affected party
• a description of the nature of the event or disease

Accident books

An approved loose-leaf format of Accident Book (code B1510) must be used for all businesses with 10 or more employees, and is recommended for use in smaller establishments too.

Copies are obtainable from good bookshops, The Stationery Office or HSE Books for £5.70.

A copy of completed accident reports should be kept on-site for at least 3 years.

Investigating accidents

Accidents and near misses should be investigated appropriately by the employer, and the lessons learnt used to improve their risk management systems.