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Building Site Induction Checklist UK: CDM 2015 Forms

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Part ofUK Health & Safety Law

Written by Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)
Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice.
Updated June 2026 · England & Wales
If you run a construction site in the UK, briefing everyone who sets foot on it is not optional. The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 expect every worker, subcontractor, and visitor to understand the hazards they face and the rules that apply before they start work. A site induction is how you make that happen, and keeping written proof that each person has been inducted is just as important as running the induction itself. This page walks through the practical paperwork smaller contractors tend to need: a structured induction checklist, a form confirming that each person has received the induction, a daily sign-in sheet, and a running register of everyone who has been through the process. It also explains how the pieces fit together so your records stand up to scrutiny.

What this document is

A building site induction is the briefing given to anyone who will be working on or visiting a construction site, covering the hazards present, the rules in force, and what to do in an emergency. Under CDM 2015, the principal contractor (or the contractor on smaller jobs) is responsible for making sure this happens before work begins.

The induction itself is a conversation, but the supporting paperwork is what turns it into an auditable process. A typical document set has four parts that work together. The checklist gives the person running the induction a structured script, so nothing important gets missed.

The induction received form captures the participant's confirmation that the briefing took place and that they understood it. The daily signing-in sheet records who is on site on any given day, which matters for accident response and headcount. The induction register keeps a master list of everyone who has been inducted on the project, so you can check at a glance whether a person arriving on site has already been through the process or still needs it.

How to use this document

  1. Prepare the site-specific content before anyone arrives. A generic induction is rarely enough. Walk the site, list the actual hazards present (for example live traffic routes, overhead services, specific plant in use), and tailor the checklist so it reflects what workers will genuinely encounter rather than a standard template running on autopilot.
  2. Run the induction in person and work through each section. Cover welfare facilities, fire exits and assembly points, first aid arrangements, permits to work, PPE requirements, working at height, manual handling, hazardous substances, and accident reporting. Invite questions as you go and check understanding rather than simply reading the list aloud.
  3. Complete and sign the induction received form. Both the inductor and the person being inducted should sign and date the form at the end of the briefing. This gives you evidence that the induction actually took place, who delivered it, what was covered, and that the worker or visitor confirmed they understood the content.
  4. Add the person to the induction register. Record the name, employer or trade, date of induction, and any site-specific permissions or restrictions. Keep the register on site and up to date so supervisors can quickly confirm whether someone arriving at the gate has already been inducted or still needs to be.
  5. Use the daily signing-in sheet every day the site is active. Everyone entering the site, including visitors, delivery drivers, and inspectors, should sign in and out. In the event of an evacuation or accident, this record tells you who is on site and helps you account for every person, which is also useful if the Health and Safety Executive asks questions later.

Common questions

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Common questions

Q Who is legally responsible for running site inductions?
Under CDM 2015, the principal contractor carries this duty on projects involving more than one contractor. On smaller single-contractor jobs, the contractor itself is responsible. Whoever holds the duty must make sure every worker receives a site-specific induction before starting work, and that visitors are briefed on the hazards relevant to where they are going on site.
Q Does a short visit to site still need an induction?
In most cases, yes. Anyone entering an active construction site can be exposed to hazards, so visitors usually need at least a shortened briefing covering PPE, fire and emergency arrangements, restricted areas, and who to report to. Many sites run a visitor version of the induction that is quicker than the full worker briefing but still documented with a signature.
Q How long should induction records be kept?
There is no single retention period fixed by CDM 2015 for induction paperwork, but the records support wider health and safety obligations and any later investigation. A common practical approach is to keep them for the duration of the project and for a reasonable period afterwards in line with your company's retention policy. Check current HSE guidance for the latest position.
Q Can inductions be done digitally instead of on paper?
Yes. Many contractors now use tablet-based or app-based inductions with electronic signatures, and these are generally accepted provided the content is site-specific, the person genuinely engages with it, and the record is retrievable later. The format matters less than whether you can demonstrate that each person received a proper briefing and understood it.
Q What happens if someone works on site without being inducted?
It is a significant breach of the principal contractor's duties and can expose the business to enforcement action by the HSE, particularly if an incident occurs. Supervisors should check the induction register before letting anyone start work. If a person somehow slips through, stop them, induct them properly, and record what happened so you can tighten the gate process.
Q How often does someone need to be re-inducted?
There is no fixed interval in law. Good practice is to re-induct when the site changes significantly, when a worker returns after a long absence, after a serious incident, or when new hazards are introduced. Some projects set a routine refresh period as well. The test is whether the original induction still reflects the risks the worker will actually face.
Q Does the induction replace training in specific tasks?
No. A site induction covers the site itself: its layout, rules, hazards, and emergency arrangements. It does not substitute for trade-specific training or competence, such as scaffold erection, plant operation, or working at height. Workers still need to hold the relevant qualifications and cards, and employers remain responsible for making sure their people are competent.
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Sources

This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.

Brad Askew, Solicitor (non-practising)

Written & reviewed by

Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)

Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice. LegalDocuments.co.uk is not a law firm and does not provide regulated legal advice.

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Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.