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An Incident Report documents unexpected events, accidents, or near-misses in workplaces across England and Wales. It captures key details like what happened, when and where it occurred, who was involved, and any immediate actions taken - creating a clear record for safety, legal, and insurance purposes.

These reports play a vital role in meeting UK health and safety requirements, especially under RIDDOR regulations. Organizations use them to track patterns, prevent future incidents, defend against claims, and demonstrate their commitment to maintaining safe working environments. Good incident reports help businesses learn from mistakes and protect both employees and visitors.

Create an Incident Report immediately after any workplace accident, injury, near-miss, or security breach occurs. This includes slips and falls, equipment malfunctions, vehicle collisions, hazardous material spills, or any situation requiring first aid or emergency services. Time matters - the sooner you document the incident, the more accurate and useful your report will be.

File reports for both major and minor incidents - even if they seem insignificant at first. Under UK law, certain incidents must be reported within specific timeframes, particularly those falling under RIDDOR guidelines. Prompt reporting helps protect your organization, supports insurance claims, and builds a safety record that can prevent similar incidents in the future.

• Incident Investigation Form: Detailed analysis template for thorough post-incident investigations, focusing on root causes and preventive measures
• Incident Response Form: Quick-response document capturing immediate actions taken during an emergency or serious incident
• Employee Incident Report Form: Simplified format for staff to report workplace accidents or injuries
• Hazard Report Form: Proactive reporting tool for identifying potential risks before incidents occur
• Critical Incident Report Form: Comprehensive documentation for serious events requiring immediate management attention

• Health & Safety Officers: Lead the incident reporting process, ensure proper documentation, and coordinate follow-up investigations
• Employees: File initial reports when incidents occur and provide witness statements as needed
• Line Managers: Review and verify incident details, add context, and implement immediate safety measures
• HR Departments: Maintain records, handle related personnel matters, and coordinate with insurers
• Senior Management: Review serious incidents, approve major responses, and ensure regulatory compliance
• External Authorities: Receive reports for RIDDOR-reportable incidents and conduct investigations when required

• Basic Details: Record date, time, location, and names of all people involved or witness to the incident
• Incident Description: Document exactly what happened, including events leading up to the incident and immediate aftermath
• Evidence Collection: Take photos, gather witness statements, and secure any relevant CCTV footage or equipment records
• Immediate Actions: Note all emergency responses taken, including first aid provided or authorities contacted
• Risk Assessment: Review existing safety measures and identify any failures or needed improvements
• Follow-up Plans: Detail specific actions to prevent similar incidents and timeline for implementation

• Incident Identification: Unique reference number, date, time, and specific location details
• Personal Information: Names and roles of affected individuals, witnesses, and reporting staff (GDPR-compliant)
• Event Description: Detailed narrative of the incident, including sequence of events and contributing factors
• Injury/Damage Details: Specific description of harm or loss, including severity classification under RIDDOR guidelines
• Response Actions: Immediate measures taken, first aid provided, authorities notified
• Risk Assessment: Analysis of existing controls, identified failures, and recommended improvements
• Authentication: Signatures of reporter, supervisor, and relevant department heads with dates

An Incident Report differs significantly from an Incident Response Plan in both timing and purpose. While both documents relate to workplace incidents, they serve distinct functions in your organization's safety and compliance framework.

• Timing and Purpose: Incident Reports are reactive documents created after an event occurs, while Response Plans are proactive documents prepared in advance to guide actions during future incidents
• Content Focus: Reports document specific details of what happened, while Plans outline procedures, roles, and responsibilities for handling various types of incidents
• Legal Requirements: Reports often fulfill immediate regulatory obligations under RIDDOR and workplace safety laws, while Plans demonstrate preparedness and risk management systems
• Usage Pattern: Reports are single-use documents specific to each incident, while Plans are living documents regularly reviewed and updated