Site inductions under CDM 2015: what the law asks for, and how to prove it

Who has to give a site induction, what it should cover, and what to keep so you can show it happened.

JobGate · 2 November 2026

The short answer

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 require every worker on a construction site to receive a suitable site induction. Where there is a principal contractor, it is their duty. Every other contractor must provide one to their own workers where the principal contractor has not. Contractors must also take reasonable steps to stop unauthorised people getting onto site.

The regulations do not say how the induction must be recorded. But if something goes wrong, an inspector, insurer or solicitor will ask you to show who was inducted, when, and on what. A good record is how you answer.

What the regulations say

Principal contractors, under regulation 13(4), must ensure that:

• “a suitable site induction is provided;”
• “the necessary steps are taken to prevent access by unauthorised persons to the construction site”; and
• welfare facilities meeting Schedule 2 are provided throughout the construction phase.

Every contractor, under regulation 15(8) to (10), must give each worker under their control appropriate supervision, instructions and information, which must include:

• “a suitable site induction, where not already provided by the principal contractor;”
• the procedures to follow in the event of serious and imminent danger;
• information on the risks to their health and safety; and
• any other information they need to comply with the law.

A contractor “must not begin work on a construction site unless reasonable steps have been taken to prevent access by unauthorised persons to that site.”

Alongside CDM, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require every employer to give employees comprehensible information on the risks they face and the measures in place to control them.

Who is responsible

On a project with more than one contractor, the client appoints a principal contractor, and the induction is theirs to provide. On a job where you are the only contractor, it falls to you. As a subcontractor, you still have to make sure your own people have had one, and give them the information specific to your work, such as your RAMS.

The HSE's own summary of the principal contractor's duties is on hse.gov.uk.

What a suitable induction usually covers

“Suitable” means suitable for that site and that person's work. Most site inductions cover:

• the site layout, access routes, welfare and any no-go areas;
• the site rules, including PPE, working hours and signing in and out;
• the main hazards on that site, and the RAMS and COSHH assessments for the work the person will do;
• what to do in an emergency: the alarm, the assembly point, first aiders and the nearest A&E;
• how to report a hazard, a near miss or an accident; and
• who is in charge, and who to call.

An induction is not a one-off. When the RAMS change, or the site changes, people need to be told again.

What to keep, so you can prove it

A signature on a sheet only goes so far. The records that hold up best show:

• who, by full name, and which company they work for;
• when, with the date and time;
• what, including which documents and which revision of the RAMS;
• that they confirmed it, with their own signature or confirmation; and
• that it has not been changed since, with no gaps or later additions.

Electronic signatures are admissible as evidence in the UK under section 7 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000. A named, time-stamped electronic record tied to a specific document can be stronger evidence than a paper sheet, because it is harder to fill in afterwards. No record guarantees an outcome. It shows the steps you took, and when.

Visitors and unauthorised access

Preventing unauthorised access usually means fencing and signage, but it also means knowing who is on site. Visitors should sign in, be told the site rules and the emergency arrangements, and be accompanied where needed. A live list of who is on site also serves as your fire roll call.

A quick checklist

• Every person inducted before they start, including subcontractors' operatives
• Induction specific to the site, not a generic talk
• RAMS and COSHH for their work read and confirmed
• Re-briefed when the RAMS are revised
• Emergency arrangements explained
• Visitors signed in and told the rules
• A record that shows who, when, what and which revision, and that has not been changed since

How JobGate handles it

JobGate puts a QR sign on the site door. Operatives scan it with their phone, read the site information, sign the RAMS by revision, confirm the COSHH sheets and agree the site rules before they show as cleared to work. Visitors sign in on the same sign. Every signature is named and time-stamped, records are add-only, and a sealed PDF goes to the office every Monday. Read how RAMS signing works.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Check the regulations and HSE guidance for your own situation.