A Canadian Accident Report Form is an official document used to record the details of a workplace accident or injury. This form serves as the primary record of the incident and is essential for compliance with provincial and federal occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation, workers' compensation claims, and workplace safety investigations. Every Canadian province and territory has its own OHS legislation requiring employers to document and report workplace accidents.

In Ontario, the Occupational Health and Safety Act (R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1) requires employers to report critical injuries and fatalities immediately to the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development and to the joint health and safety committee or health and safety representative (s. 51-52). In Alberta, the Occupational Health and Safety Act (R.S.A. 2020, c. O-2.2) requires employers to report serious injuries and incidents to OHS and to conduct investigations. In British Columbia, the Workers Compensation Act (R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1) and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation require employers to report injuries to WorkSafeBC and to investigate incidents.

For federally regulated workplaces (including banking, telecommunications, interprovincial transportation, and federal government), the Canada Labour Code (R.S.C. 1985, c. L-2), Part II, requires employers to investigate and report all hazardous occurrences to the Minister of Labour. The Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR/86-304) provide detailed requirements for workplace health and safety. This Accident Report Form serves as a standardized document that captures the essential information required across all Canadian jurisdictions.

A Canadian Accident Report Form must be completed whenever a workplace accident, injury, or near-miss incident occurs. The specific reporting triggers and timelines vary by province, but general situations requiring this form include any injury to an employee that requires first aid or medical treatment beyond basic first aid; any injury resulting in lost time from work; any critical injury (as defined by provincial legislation, typically including amputation, loss of consciousness, fractures, burns, or loss of sight); any fatality; any incident involving hazardous materials or substances; any incident causing significant property or equipment damage; and any near-miss event that could have resulted in injury.

The form should be completed as soon as possible after the accident while details are fresh in the minds of witnesses and those involved. Many provincial workers' compensation boards require employers to file injury reports within 3 to 5 business days of the accident. In cases of critical injury or fatality, immediate notification by telephone is required in most jurisdictions, followed by a written report within 48 hours.

Beyond regulatory compliance, the accident report form is essential for workers' compensation claims, insurance purposes, identifying workplace hazards and implementing corrective actions, legal documentation in the event of litigation, statistical tracking of workplace safety performance, and demonstrating due diligence in workplace health and safety management.

An effective Canadian Accident Report Form must capture comprehensive information about the incident. Organization information includes the employer's legal name, address, province, and postal code. Reporter information identifies the person completing the form, including their name, title, phone number, and the date the report is filed. Injured person details include their full legal name, date of birth, job title, and home address.

Accident details must specify the date, time, and exact location of the accident, including the province where it occurred. The type of accident should be categorized (e.g., slip/trip/fall, struck by object, caught in machinery, overexertion, chemical exposure, vehicle incident). A detailed narrative description should explain what the injured person was doing before the accident, how the accident occurred step by step, and what object or substance directly caused the injury.

Injury details should describe the body parts affected, the nature of the injuries, first aid or medical treatment provided, whether the person was hospitalized, and the name of the medical facility. Witness information should include names and contact details. Emergency services contacted and corrective actions taken or recommended should be documented. Workers' compensation information, including the applicable provincial board and claim number, should be included when a claim has been filed. The form should reference the applicable provincial OHS legislation and be signed and dated by the reporter.