Incidents & Accidents · Mandatory · Construction

Accident Book BI 510

The official accident book (BI 510 format) that must be kept on every construction site with 10 or more employees. It records details of every workplace accident and is a legal requirement under the Social Security Act 1998.

Last reviewed: 29 March 2026 — This guide reflects UK law as of this date. Social Security Act 1998 remains current with no amendments enacted as of 29 March 2026. Next scheduled review: 29 March 2027.

1. The Accident Book — First Line of Incident Recording

The accident book is the first and most accessible point of incident recording on any construction site. Before RIDDOR assessments, investigation reports, and management notifications — the accident book captures basic facts while they are fresh. Any worker who is hurt, however minor the injury, should be able to record it.

The BI 510's individual detachable sheets are a GDPR feature — completed sheets are removed and stored securely so that other workers cannot see the details of colleagues' injuries. The book without sheets can remain in the welfare area, accessible to all.

The accident book and the internal incident report are complementary — not alternatives

The accident book (BI 510) provides a basic summary accessible to workers. The internal incident report provides detailed record for investigation, RIDDOR assessment, and management review. Both are required: the accident book satisfies Social Security Act obligations; the incident report provides investigation-quality detail.

2. Accident Book — What Each Entry Must Include

Field	Content
Injured person	Full name. Job title/trade. Employer.
Date and time	Of the accident.
Location	Where on site the accident occurred.
Nature of injury	Type of injury. Part of body affected.
How it happened	Brief description in the worker’s own words.
First aid	What was administered. By whom.
Witnesses	Names of any witnesses.
Person recording	Name and signature (may differ from injured person if they are unable to write).
Date of entry	When the entry was made (should be the same day as the accident).

3. Common Mistakes

Not accessible to workers

The accident book must not be locked in the manager’s office. It must be accessible to all workers, including those working out-of-hours. Consider: a clearly labelled book in the welfare area; a digital system accessible by mobile; or a combination of both.

Completed sheets not removed and secured

Leaving completed entries in an open book means other workers can read colleagues’ medical information. GDPR requires removal and secure storage. The 2018 BI 510 has detachable sheets specifically designed for this purpose.

Not recording minor accidents

All workplace accidents should be recorded, including those requiring only a plaster. A minor injury today may relate to a serious accident next week. A near-empty book on a busy site indicates under-recording, not a safe site.

Entries don’t match internal incident report

Inconsistencies between the accident book (completed quickly by a supervisor) and the detailed incident report (completed later) create credibility problems in litigation or enforcement proceedings.

Accident book out of stock or wrong edition

Surprisingly common on busy sites. The book must be reordered before the supply runs out. Digital systems as the primary method with paper BI 510 backup is acceptable provided GDPR requirements are met.

4. Frequently Asked Questions

Is the BI 510 the only acceptable format?▾

No — the Social Security Regulations require an accident book but do not specify the BI 510. Digital systems and custom formats are acceptable provided they capture the required information and meet GDPR requirements. Digital is often the primary method with paper backup.

What if a worker doesn’t want the accident recorded?▾

Workers cannot opt out. The duty is on the employer to record. Recording protects the worker’s ability to claim benefits. The manager can complete the entry based on their own knowledge, noting the worker was present. Recording actually protects workers.

How long must records be kept?▾

RIDDOR Regulation 12: minimum 3 years for reportable incidents. For all accidents: 3 years minimum. For long-latency hazards (asbestos, silica): 40 years. Where litigation is anticipated: indefinitely until resolved.

Does a near miss need recording in the accident book?▾

The accident book is specifically for injuries under the Social Security Act. Near misses without injury should use a separate near miss form. MHSWR requires monitoring — near miss records form part of this. Either a separate or combined system is acceptable.

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