First-aid logbook: what to record and how long to keep it
A first-aid logbook records every treatment given at work - from a plaster to full wound care. This guide explains what each entry must contain, why even the smallest minor injury belongs in it, and how a five-year retention period safeguards accident-insurance cover.
View first-aid logbooksWhat must every logbook entry contain?
Under Section 24 of DGUV Regulation 1, every act of first aid must be recorded in writing. A complete entry answers who, when, where, what and how - only then can the incident be traced clearly at a later date.
Timing matters: the entry is made straight after treatment, not days later from memory. The name of the first-aider belongs in it too, so that any follow-up questions can be answered.
- Name of the injured or ill person
- Date, time and exact location of the event
- How it happened - the sequence of events
- Type and extent of the injury or illness
- First-aid measure taken (e.g. plaster, dressing, cooling)
- Name of the first-aider or any witnesses
Why record even minor injuries?
The most common mistake is leaving out small injuries. That is exactly what can prove costly: if a superficial scratch turns into a wound infection days later, the logbook entry decides whether the statutory accident insurer recognises the case as a work accident.
Without documentation there is no proof that the injury happened at work. The entry is therefore the bridge between the harmless first event and a possible later complication - it secures benefits such as medical treatment, injury pay or a pension.
How long and how is the logbook kept?
Logbook entries must be retained for five years from the date they are made. This period gives the statutory accident insurer enough time to examine even late-emerging connections.
- Retention period: 5 years from the date of entry
- Protected against unauthorised access (health data)
- Classic bound book or tamper-evident single-slip pad
- Digital solutions allowed if completeness and data protection are ensured
Whether on paper or captured digitally, what counts is that entries cannot be altered later without notice and that only authorised people have access. A book kept clearly visible at the first-aid point lowers the threshold to actually record every case.
First-aid kit to DIN 13157 and the right supplies for your workplace.
Read the guideFrequently asked questions
Is a first-aid logbook legally required?
Yes. Section 24 of DGUV Regulation 1 obliges the employer to document every act of first aid and to store the records securely.
Do I really have to record every plaster?
Yes, every act of first aid belongs in the logbook. Even a harmless minor injury can develop a later complication for which the entry secures insurance cover.
How long must the logbook be kept?
Entries must be retained for five years from the date they are made and must be protected against access by unauthorised persons.
Can the logbook be kept digitally?
Yes, digital solutions are permitted provided entries are complete, cannot be altered later without notice, and data protection is maintained.
Looking for a first-aid logbook and supplies?
We supply first-aid logbooks, tamper-evident single-slip pads and kits to DIN 13157 and DIN 13169 - everything for a legally sound first-aid point.
Legally sound
Forms meet the requirements of DGUV Regulation 1.
Complete
Logbook to match your first-aid kit per DIN 13157.
GDPR-ready
Single-slip pads protect sensitive health data.
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