Retaining first aid, accident and medical records

Learn what records you need to keep following incidents in school that need first aid, as well as how long to keep the records to make sure you're complying with UK GDPR and relevant legislation.

Last reviewed on 26 May 2023
See updates
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 34310
Contents
  1. You must have a policy and keep an accident book
  2. Keep first aid records
  3. You must keep RIDDOR records
  4. Record any administered medicines 
  5. Records related to 'major incidents'

You must have a policy and keep an accident book

All schools must have a health and safety policy, where you outline how you retain accident and first aid records.

Download and adapt our model policy to suit your school's context, so you can stay compliant. 

Accident books

The Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1979 require schools with 10 or more employees to keep an accident book, and to retain records in this book for at least 3 years.

The Information and Records Management Society (IRMS) toolkit says accident books should be kept for 3 years after the last entry in the book.

Learn more about accident recording and reporting in another of our articles. 

Keep first aid records

This is not the same as the