Under CDM 2015 the principal contractor must make sure every worker has a site-specific induction, and any further information and training they need. A good induction is short, is about this site, and ends with the worker knowing what to do if something goes wrong.
What HSE says an induction should cover
- Senior management commitment to health and safety.
- An outline of the project.
- How the project is managed.
- First aid arrangements.
- Accident and incident reporting arrangements.
- How workers will be briefed as the work goes on, for example toolbox talks.
- How the workforce is consulted on health and safety.
- Each worker’s own responsibility for health and safety.
The site-specific part
- Who is who: the site manager, supervisors, first aiders, fire marshals and the temporary works coordinator.
- The site layout: access, pedestrian and vehicle routes, welfare, the assembly point and restricted areas.
- Site rules, including PPE, hot works, permits and smoking.
- The high-risk work under way and the hazards particular to this site, such as live services, asbestos, excavations or the public next to the site.
- Emergencies: the alarm, evacuation, the nearest A&E, and how to call for help and give the site’s location.
- How to report accidents, near misses and concerns, and that anyone can stop unsafe work.
Checking competence at induction
Induction is the moment to check that each person has the training and cards their work needs, such as a construction skills card where the site requires one or plant operator cards, and that their employer’s RAMS for the work have been accepted.
Records to keep
- Who was inducted, when, by whom, and their employer.
- Their signature or electronic confirmation that they understood.
- The card and competence checks made.
- Re-inductions when the site or the risks change significantly.
Making it stick
- Keep it short and visual: a site map and photos beat paragraphs of text.
- Repeat the key points at sign-in, on the noticeboard and in daily briefings.
- End with a short check of understanding.
- Provide it in other languages, or with an interpreter, where needed.
Frequently asked questions
Do visitors need an induction?
Visitors should get a short briefing on the site rules and emergency arrangements, and be escorted into work areas. Anyone working on site needs the full induction.
How long does an induction last?
For the life of the project, unless the site, the work or the risks change significantly, when it should be refreshed. Many sites also re-induct people who have been away for a long time.
Can an induction be given by video?
Video works well for the general content, but finish with the site-specific points, a check of understanding and a chance to ask questions.
This guide is general information for UK businesses, not legal advice. Check the current regulations and HSE guidance at hse.gov.uk, and take professional advice for your situation.