Guides / Site induction checklist for UK construction sites
Site induction checklist for UK construction sites
Updated 18 October 2026
Every worker who comes onto a construction site needs an induction before they start. It's the moment you tell them how this site works, what can hurt them here and what to do if something goes wrong.
This guide covers what the law asks for, what HSE says to include, and a checklist you can use as it is or adapt for your site.
What the law says
Under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, the principal contractor must ensure that a suitable site induction is provided (regulation 13(4)(a)). Every contractor must also make sure the workers under their control get one, where the principal contractor hasn't already provided it (regulation 15(9)(a)).
HSE's guidance is that every site worker must be given a suitable induction, and that it should be specific to the site: its particular risks and the control measures in place. Visitors need one too, in proportion to their visit. An escorted visitor only needs to know the main hazards and what keeps them safe.
What HSE says an induction should cover
- Senior management's commitment to health and safety
- An outline of the project
- How the project is managed, and who is who
- First-aid arrangements
- How to report accidents and incidents
- How workers will be briefed as the job goes on, such as toolbox talks
- How workers are consulted on health and safety
- Each worker's own responsibility for health and safety
Site rules to explain
HSE also lists the kind of site rules people need to know. Cover the ones that apply to your site:
- PPE that must be worn, and where
- Phones and radios
- Smoking
- Restricted areas
- Hot works and permits to work
- Traffic management and pedestrian routes
- Fire prevention, fire points and emergency arrangements
Our checklist for each new starter
Before they start work, make sure you have:
- Their name, company, trade and an emergency contact
- Their CSCS card or other skills card, checked and in date
- Any other cards they need for their work, such as plant, scaffolding or first aid
- Confirmation they've read and understood the RAMS for their work
- Any health information they choose to share that affects their work
- Their signature that they've had the induction and agree to the site rules
- The date, and who gave the induction
Make it understood, and keep a record
An induction only counts if people understand it. Keep it short and plain, and think about translations for anyone whose first language isn't English. HSE suggests translating site rules where it's needed.
Keep a record of every induction: who, when and what they signed. It's what you'll be asked for after an incident or in an audit, and it's how you know who's been inducted on a busy morning.
Running inductions in Sitro
With Sitro's Site Induction, new starters fill in their induction on their own phone, often before day one: their details, CSCS and other cards with photos and expiry dates, RAMS sign-off and the site rules. Every form is kept and can be exported as a PDF, and each worker goes straight into the Training Matrix. On Pro, each new starter gets a personal invite link with your site details and documents attached.
- Site Induction: Digital inductions new starters complete on their own phone before day one.
- Training Matrix: Every worker and every card on one colour-coded grid, with expiry reminders.
- Company Roster: One master worker list across every project, with history, cards and a ban flag.
Start a 14-day free trial, no sales call.
Questions
Does every visitor need an induction?
HSE says visitors need one in proportion to their visit. An escorted visitor needs to know the main hazards and the control measures.
Who is responsible for site inductions?
Under CDM 2015 the principal contractor must ensure a suitable induction is provided, and every contractor must make sure their own workers get one where the principal contractor hasn't.
Can a site induction be done digitally?
Yes. What matters is that it covers your site's risks and rules, that the person understands it, and that you keep a record.
Sources
This guide is general information, not legal advice.