Accident Report Form FAQs
1) What is an accident report form?
An accident report form is a document that records the details of an accident or incident that has occurred, such as in the workplace.
2) Why do I need an accident report form?
Accident report forms are invaluable when it comes to accurately documenting accidents and preventing future ones. Having proper documentation of accidents makes it easier to assess the cause of the accident and plan next steps for addressing it. Accident report forms are necessary to find the cause of an accident and identify and fix issues that led to the accident.
3) What should be included in an accident report form?
Accident report forms should include fields for names and contact information of the individuals and witnesses involved, the type of accident, the date and time the accident occurred, the location of the accident, a detailed description of the accident, and room for any additional comments.
4) Are accident report forms customizable?
Yes, you can customize accident report forms by using Jotform’s drag-and-drop form builder. Add or remove form fields, change fonts and colors, integrate with useful widgets and tools, add e-signatures fields, and so much more. Create the exact report form to fit your needs using Jotform.
5) Where are accident report forms used?
Accident report forms are used in workplaces, schools, public spaces, and in personal situations that require them.
6) What's the next step after filling out an accident report?
After you fill out an accident report, consult your organization’s policies and rules for these reports. It’s common for companies or organizations to conduct an investigation, then implement corrective actions and/or offer compensation to those affected by the accident. If it’s been some time since you sent in your report without any action, consider setting up a meeting with your supervisor to discuss it or submit questions to the department that you initially filed the report with.
7) What should an accident report include?
- Identification of parties involved: This includes the names, contact information, and roles of the people concerned and any witnesses. If applicable, include details about vehicles or equipment involved.
- Date, time, and location: Include the precise date and time of the accident and the exact location it occurred.
- Description of the incident: This should be a comprehensive, factual account of what happened before, during, and after the accident.
- Nature of injury or damage: Detail all information about any physical injuries or property damage that resulted from the accident. Include the type, extent, and location of injuries or damages.
- Immediate action taken: Describe the measures taken during or after the incident to mitigate harm, such as providing first aid, carrying out evacuation procedures, or contacting emergency services.
- Photographs or diagrams: It’s helpful to include visual aids to support the narrative of the report. Consider including pictures of the accident scene, diagrams showing the sequence of events, or illustrations of the injury or damage.
- Report completion details: Include the name and role of the person who completed the report and the date they completed it.
8) How do you create an accident report?
One of the quickest and easiest ways to create an accident report is to use an online form template and customize it to your situation. You can use this Jotform accident report form template to get started. Here’s how.
- Click Use Template.
- Click Add Form Element on the left to add form fields and other elements to customize it to suit your needs.
- Click the Form Designer icon on the right to tailor the design by adding a logo, changing the color scheme, and more.
- To share your finalized form, click Publish to share it through email, via a link, or by embedding it on a website.
- To review submissions to your form, click the dropdown menu in the top left and select Jotform Tables.
9) How do you fill out an accident report?
When an accident occurs, follow these steps to record what happened and submit a report to the appropriate authorities.
- Prioritize safety and health. Immediately after the accident, ensure all involved parties are safe and provide necessary medical assistance. You should only proceed with documenting the incident after securing the scene and addressing any urgent health concerns.
- Notify the appropriate authorities. Depending on the severity and nature of the accident, you may need to notify your supervisor, human resources department, or, in some cases, law enforcement or emergency services.
- Gather information. Collect the necessary information for the report, such as the names, contact information, and roles of the people involved as well as any witnesses. Record the date, time, and location of the incident.
- Document the incident. Describe the incident in detail. Start with an explanation of what led to the accident, followed by descriptions of the accident itself and the aftermath. Be as precise and objective as possible, and stick to factual information rather than conjecture.
- Detail injuries and damages. List any injuries and damage to property that resulted from the accident. If possible, take photographs of these injuries and damages for further clarification.
- Note immediate actions taken. Record the actions taken immediately after the accident. Did anyone administer first aid? Did someone call emergency services? Was there an evacuation or shutdown of equipment?
- Identify contributing factors. Identify and list the conditions or factors that may have contributed to the accident. Think of environmental factors (like weather or lighting), equipment malfunctions, or human factors (like fatigue or distraction).
- Conduct and document investigation. If you or someone else initiates an investigation, detail the process and findings in the report. The report should include any recommendations you or others may have as a result of the investigation.
- Review and finalize the report. Review the report to ensure you’ve included all relevant details and check them for accuracy. Make sure it’s clear and understandable, free of jargon or technical terms that require an explanation.
- Submit the report. After a final review, submit the report to the appropriate department or person within your organization (typically a supervisor, safety officer, or human resources department). In some cases, you also may need to submit the report to external entities, such as law enforcement.
10) What are the common types of accident reports?
- Workplace accident report: This type of report covers incidents that occur within a workplace setting, such as falls, equipment-related accidents, or incidents related to hazardous materials.
- Traffic accident report: These reports document incidents that occur on roads involving vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, or others.
- Incident report: Incident reports are broader and cover any unusual event that may not have caused an injury but could potentially lead to one. Examples include near misses, security breaches, or deviations from established processes.
- Slip and fall report: These reports document incidents where an individual slips, trips, or falls, usually in a public or commercial setting like a store or restaurant.
- School accident report: This type of report is for reporting an accident involving students, staff, or visitors that has occurred in a school setting.
- Sporting accident report: Sporting events often have their own type of report to document injuries or incidents that occur during practices or games.
- Industrial accident report: Manufacturing, construction, or mining industries use this report to document incidents related to heavy machinery, hazardous materials, or other industry-specific risks.
