Accident reports in construction
There is a legal requirement through the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) for accidents and incidents to be reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
While RIDDOR recommends that all accidents, however small, are recorded in an accident book, it identifies the more serious types of accidents which must be reported to HSE as well as being recorded in the book. These include:
- Any injury that stops an employee doing their normal work for a period of 3 days or more.
- Major injuries such as broken arms, ribs, legs, etc.
- Fatalities.
- Disease.
- Dangerous instances occurring at work such as machinery breaking, scaffolding collapsing or any other appliances breaking and causing damage.
Forme can be found here for the following incidents:
- Injury.
- Dangerous occurrence.
- Injury offshore.
- Dangerous occurrence offshore.
- Case of disease.
- Flammable gas incident.
- Dangerous gas fitting.
The appropriate form should be completed by the responsible person. Fatalities and major injuries can be reported by phone to the HSE. A report must be received within 10 days of the incident.
The following information should be recorded:
- Injured person’s personal and contact details (name, phone number, address, age, occupation, etc.).
- Reporter’s personal and contact details (name, position, phone number, address, etc.).
- Accident details (date, time, location).
- Injury details (type, body part, whether any work days were lost as a result, whether an ambulance was required, whether the injured person lost consciousness, etc.).
- Witness details (name, phone number, address, etc.).
- Details of any supporting evidence (e.g. CCTV footage, photographs, training records, health and safety check records, cleaning logs, etc.).
- Reasons for accident (how it occurred, working conditions at the time, PPE being worn, equipment being used, events leading up to accident, etc.).
- Response to accident (first aid provided, whether the area was made safe, direct action).
- Preventative action (training needs, preventative plan put in place, how recurrences will be prevented).
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Accident book.
- Construction health risks.
- Health and safety file.
- Injuries on construction sites.
- Near miss.
- Notification to HSE.
- Occupational accident.
- Occupational injury.
- Reporting accidents and injuries on construction sites RIDDOR.
- Safety audit.
- Site records and registers.
- Slip and trip hazards.
Featured articles and news
A change to adoptive architecture
Effects of global weather warming on architectural detailing, material choice and human interaction.
How big is the problem and what can we do to mitigate the effects?
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
A number of cool guides to help with the heat.
The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy: A 10 year plan
Previous consultation criticism, current key elements and general support with some persisting reservations.
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.
Architectural Technologist CPDs and Communications
CIAT CPD… and how you can do it!
Cooling centres and cool spaces
Managing extreme heat in cities by directing the public to places for heat stress relief and water sources.
Winter gardens: A brief history and warm variations
Extending the season with glass in different forms and terms.
Restoring Great Yarmouth's Winter Gardens
Transforming one of the least sustainable constructions imaginable.
Construction Skills Mission Board launch sector drive
Newly formed government and industry collaboration set strategy for recruiting an additional 100,000 construction workers a year.
New Architects Code comes into effect in September 2025
ARB Architects Code of Conduct and Practice available with ongoing consultation regarding guidance.
Welsh Skills Body (Medr) launches ambitious plan
The new skills body brings together funding and regulation of tertiary education and research for the devolved nation.
Paul Gandy FCIOB announced as next CIOB President
Former Tilbury Douglas CEO takes helm.
UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy. In brief with reactions
With the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.