What belongs in an incident log?
Record when and where it happened, a factual description, who reported it and the action taken.
Incident log template
Use this free incident log template to record what happened, when, where, who reported it and what action was taken. Download Excel or Word files.
Every tool is free to use on screen, and a free account saves your records. Downloads are one free file a month across all toolkits, then £1.49 for a single extra download or £4.99 a month for unlimited downloads. Cancel anytime.
This is a general administrative log for your own internal record keeping. It is not a clinical, safeguarding or regulatory reporting tool and does not send anything to anyone. You remain responsible for your own reporting arrangements.
2 entries
A plain administrative log of what happened, when, and what was done about it.
Downloads need a free account. That gives you one free file a month across all the toolkits.
This tool is free to use with no account. The rows below are examples so you can see the layout, edit or delete them and add your own. Nothing you type here is stored on our servers, so it will be gone if you close the page. Create a free account to keep it, and to get your free monthly Excel or Word download.
Simple Incident Log
| Date | Time | Location | Description | Reported by | Action taken | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Oct 2026 | 08:00 | Example location 1 | Example entry, replace this with your own details. | Example reported by 1 | Example entry, replace this with your own details. | Example entry, replace this with your own details. | |
| 18 Nov 2026 | 14:00 | Example location 2 | Example entry, replace this with your own details. | Example reported by 2 | Example entry, replace this with your own details. | Example entry, replace this with your own details. |
These tools are provided for general business administration, organisation and record-keeping purposes. They do not constitute legal, medical, clinical, safeguarding, health and safety or regulatory advice and do not guarantee compliance with any applicable requirement. Businesses remain responsible for ensuring their own policies, procedures and records are appropriate for their circumstances.
Using this template
An incident log is a chronological administrative record of events that a business needs to note and follow up. It may be used for workplace incidents, service interruptions, property damage, complaints or other unexpected events. A useful entry records the date and time, location, a factual description, who reported it, the immediate action taken and any further notes. Write what was observed rather than assumptions about blame or cause.
Complete the record promptly while details are still clear, but deal with urgent safety, medical or safeguarding needs first. Keep language neutral and separate facts from later findings. Common mistakes include omitting times, naming people unnecessarily, changing an entry without keeping a clear correction, and assuming that an internal log satisfies an external reporting duty. Access should be limited appropriately because incident records can contain sensitive information. This template helps maintain an internal list only. It does not send reports, provide an accident-book system, decide whether an event is reportable or replace any clinical, safeguarding, insurance, legal or regulatory process.
Questions about this template
Is this an accident book?
No. It is a general internal log and may not meet requirements that apply to a formal accident record.
Does completing the log report an incident?
No. The tool sends nothing to anyone. The business must follow any separate reporting process that applies.