British Columbia incident report template

Set up for British Columbia

• The investigation is carried out by people knowledgeable about the type of work and, where reasonably available, with the participation of the employer or its representative and a worker representative; witnesses are made available for interview, and their names, addresses and telephone numbers are recordedWorkers Compensation Act, s. 70

Also required in British Columbia

These rules are about how and when you report, not the template's fields. Check them before you deliver.

• The employer immediately notifies WorkSafeBC of an accident that caused serious injury to or the death of a worker, involved a major structural failure or collapse of a building, bridge, tower, crane, hoist, temporary construction support system or excavation, a major release of a hazardous substance, or a fire or explosion with potential to seriously injure a worker; the scene is not disturbed except to attend to the injured, prevent further injury or protect endangered propertyWorkers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1, s. 68
• A preliminary and a full investigation are required for any incident that must be reported to WorkSafeBC, that injured a worker requiring medical treatment, or that caused no injury or only minor injury but had the potential to cause serious injury; a vehicle accident on a public street or highway is excludedWorkers Compensation Act, s. 69
• Immediately after the incident the employer undertakes a preliminary investigation to identify unsafe conditions, acts or procedures that significantly contributed and the interim corrective action needed; the report is completed within 48 hours, given to WorkSafeBC on request, and as soon as practicable given to the joint committee or worker health and safety representative, or posted at the workplace if there is neitherWorkers Compensation Act, s. 71 (1), (2)
• As far as possible, the preliminary report contains: the place, date and time; the names and job titles of persons injured or killed, of witnesses, and of others whose presence might be needed; the sequence of events before the incident; the unsafe conditions, acts or procedures that significantly contributed; employer identification and contact information; a brief description; the names and job titles of those who carried out or took part in the investigation; the interim corrective actions determined, what has been taken and when the rest will be; and any circumstances that kept an element from being addressedWorkSafeBC Prevention Manual, Policy Item P2-71-1, section 5
• Following the preliminary investigation the employer takes the interim corrective action without undue delay and, as soon as practicable, prepares a report of the action taken (the unsafe conditions that made it necessary, the action, employer identification, the names and job titles of those responsible, and the date taken) for the joint committee or worker representative, or posts itWorkers Compensation Act, s. 71 (3), (4) · Policy Item P2-71-1, section 8
• Right after the preliminary investigation the employer undertakes a full investigation to determine the causes, the unsafe conditions, acts or procedures that significantly contributed, and the corrective action needed; the full report is submitted to WorkSafeBC within 30 days of the incident (WorkSafeBC may extend this) and, within the same 30 days, given to the joint committee or worker representative or posted at the workplaceWorkers Compensation Act, s. 72
• As far as possible, the full report also contains: the employer's legal name, the name it does business under, address, contact number, email and WorkSafeBC account number; other relevant workplace parties such as an owner or prime contractor; the cause or causes; a full description of the incident; the names and job titles of everyone who carried out or took part in the preliminary and full investigations; all corrective actions determined necessary, what has been taken, and when the rest will beWorkSafeBC Prevention Manual, Policy Item P2-72-1, section 2
• Determining the cause or causes means analyzing the facts and circumstances to identify the underlying factors that led to the incident, including what made the unsafe conditions, acts or procedures possible, and the health and safety deficienciesPolicy Item P2-72-1, section 1
• An employer or supervisor must not discourage, impede or dissuade a worker or a dependant from reporting an injury, illness, death or hazardous condition to WorkSafeBC, or from applying for or receiving compensationWorkers Compensation Act, s. 73

What is in it

• What happenedWhat the person was doing just before the incident, with the tools, equipment or material used, then how the incident happened, in the order it happened.
• Injury or illness and treatmentThe part of the body affected and how, the object or substance that directly caused harm, and the first aid or medical treatment given and where.
• Damage to property, equipment or the environmentWhat was damaged, spilled or released, and how much, as the notes give it.
• Immediate actions takenWhat was done right away: first aid, emergency calls, the area made safe, equipment stopped or tagged out, and who was notified.
• CausesThe immediate cause and any underlying causes the notes identify: equipment, procedures, training, work conditions, supervision. Only what the notes support.
• Witness statementsName, Role, What they saw or said
• Corrective actionsAction, Responsible, Due, Status
• Limits of this investigationAnything that kept the investigation from covering an element so far: an injured worker not available, no witnesses, the scene held by WorkSafeBC or police, items taken for testing.

Rules last reviewed October 12, 2026. Read the full British Columbia incident report requirements.