Accident investigation report template (PDF) for internal investigations
Two-page form for the internal investigation of workplace accidents: sequence of events, injury and first aid, witnesses, check of the duty to report, root cause analysis with why questions and actions with owners, deadlines and effectiveness checks.
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After a workplace accident in Germany, first aid, an entry in the first-aid log (Verbandbuch) and – if someone dies or is unable to work for more than three days – the accident report (Unfallanzeige) to the Berufsgenossenschaft or Unfallkasse come first (Section 193 of Social Code Book VII, SGB VII). That reports the accident, but it does not explain why it happened. The employer must also record such accidents itself (Section 6(2) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, ArbSchG), and the occupational safety specialist (Fachkraft für Arbeitssicherheit) has the task of investigating accident causes and proposing measures (Section 6 of the Occupational Safety Act, ASiG).
This accident investigation report (Unfallbericht) is the form for that internal investigation: it records the sequence of events, injury and witnesses, checks the duty to report, leads to the root cause with five why questions and classifies contributing causes as technical, organisational or personal. You plan actions with owners, deadlines and effectiveness checks. It does not replace the official accident report.
What the template contains
- Two-page PDF form with details of the person, location, time, activity and sequence of events
- Fields for injury, first aid, first-aid log entry and witnesses
- Check of the duty to report: incapacity for work, accident report within three days, immediate notification, informing the works council, safety specialist and company doctor
- Root cause analysis with five why questions and eight contributing causes – technical, organisational, personal
- Action plan with owners, deadlines and effectiveness checks, plus follow-up through to the safety committee
How to use the template
- 1
Record promptly
Fill in the first page on the day of the accident if possible, while those involved and witnesses still remember well. Photograph the scene before it is changed and clarify straight away whether an accident report is needed – the deadline is only three days.
- 2
Investigate causes together
Work through the why questions with the manager, the occupational safety specialist, the works council and those involved until you reach a cause that can be eliminated. Ask about conditions, not about who is to blame.
- 3
Implement and check actions
Enter actions following the STOP principle with owners and deadlines, update the risk assessment (Gefährdungsbeurteilung) and check after a few weeks whether the actions work. Only then is the report complete.
Legal basis
- Section 193 SGB VII: accident report within three days for deaths or more than three days' incapacity for work, informing the occupational safety specialist and company doctor
- Section 6(2) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (ArbSchG): recording accidents involving death or more than three days' incapacity for work
- Section 6 sentence 2 no. 3(c) of the Occupational Safety Act (ASiG): the occupational safety specialist investigates accident causes, evaluates them and proposes measures
- Section 3(1) ArbSchG and Section 3(7) of the Industrial Safety Ordinance (BetrSichV): check effectiveness, update the risk assessment based on findings from accidents
- Section 89(2) of the Works Constitution Act (BetrVG): involving the works council in accident investigations
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an accident investigation report and the accident report?
The accident report (Unfallanzeige) is the statutory notification to the Berufsgenossenschaft or Unfallkasse – mandatory for deaths or more than three days' incapacity for work, within three days (Section 193 SGB VII), using the accident insurer's form or portal. The investigation report is an internal document: it establishes causes and records actions so that the accident does not happen again. For a reportable accident you need both.
Does every workplace accident have to be investigated?
No law prescribes a specific form. However, the employer must record accidents involving death or more than three days' incapacity (Section 6(2) ArbSchG) and check that its protective measures are effective (Section 3(1) ArbSchG); the occupational safety specialist investigates accident causes (Section 6 ASiG). An investigation also makes sense for minor accidents and for near misses that could have had serious consequences.
Who prepares the accident investigation report?
Usually the responsible manager together with the occupational safety specialist. The injured person and witnesses are interviewed; if there is a works council (Betriebsrat), the employer must involve it in accident investigations (Section 89(2) BetrVG). The employer is responsible for implementing the actions – which is why the employer or an authorised person signs the report.
You may use and adapt the template freely in your own company and for your own clients. It reflects the regulations named as they stand.
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