What is an incident report?

An incident report is defined as a formal document that provides a detailed account of an accident, injury, or near-miss occurrence within the workplace or educational setting. Its primary purpose is to record the facts surrounding the incident, including who was involved, what happened, where and when it took place, and any witnesses present. This documentation is critical for several reasons: it aids in identifying patterns in safety issues, facilitates the investigation of incidents, and helps organizations implement corrective measures to prevent future occurrences.

Comparatively, a casual conversation about safety issues does not provide a formal and documented analysis of an event; instead, it may simply raise concerns without any critical details or follow-up. An informal note to a supervisor may alert them to unsafe conditions, but it lacks the thoroughness and structured approach of an official report. Lastly, a presentation about safety training outcomes is typically retrospective and focuses on the results of training programs rather than examining specific incidents. Thus, the detailed and formal nature of an incident report makes it an essential tool for safety and compliance in any organization.