Construction Site Compliance Checklist
A practical compliance reference for UK construction site managers and contractors — covering CDM 2015 duties, worker onboarding, right to work, CSCS, welfare, RIDDOR, and subcontractor management.
Important: This checklist is a practical reference guide, not legal advice. Construction compliance requirements are governed by CDM 2015, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, and multiple supporting regulations. Always consult qualified H&S professionals for project-specific compliance.
Construction site compliance involves overlapping legal obligations across employment law, health and safety regulation, CDM duties, tax compliance, and insurance requirements. This checklist is designed to give site managers and project teams a quick reference for key compliance actions across the main areas.
Before Work Starts: Worker Onboarding
- Right to work check conducted for all direct employeesCritical
- CSCS card verified (grade, trade, expiry date)Critical
- Worker identity confirmed against documents and CSCS cardCritical
- Site induction completed and signedCritical
- PPE issued and receipt confirmed (hard hat, hi-vis, safety boots, gloves)Critical
- Emergency procedures explainedCritical
- Worker medical conditions/disabilities noted where relevant
- Toolbox talk completed for trade type or specific hazard
- Agency worker compliance records received (if via agency)Critical
CDM 2015 Duties
- Client has confirmed whether project is CDM-notifiableCritical
- F10 notification submitted to HSE (if notifiable project)Critical
- Principal Designer (PD) appointed in writing (if notifiable)Critical
- Principal Contractor (PC) appointed in writing (if notifiable)Critical
- Pre-Construction Health & Safety Information provided to PC/designerCritical
- Construction Phase Plan prepared before construction startsCritical
- Health & Safety File maintained by PD throughout project
- Competence of all appointed duty holders verifiedCritical
Site Safety Documentation
- Method Statements and Risk Assessments (RAMS) in place for all significant operationsCritical
- Fire Risk Assessment completed and posted at site officeCritical
- Site safety rules / site rules notice visible at entranceCritical
- RIDDOR reporting procedure known and documentedCritical
- Accident book (BI 510) available and location known to all workersCritical
- First aid box available, contents checked, and First Aider identifiedCritical
- Emergency assembly point marked and communicatedCritical
- Noise assessment completed for noisy works (Control of Noise at Work Regulations)
- Manual handling assessment for heavy lifting operations
- COSHH assessments for hazardous substances (asbestos, silica, chemicals)Critical
Welfare Facilities
- Toilet facilities (1 WC per 25 workers minimum)Critical
- Washing facilities — running water, soap, and towels/dryerCritical
- Rest area with seating, shelter, and facilities to heat food/drinkCritical
- Changing facilities (where workers must change into PPE/workwear)
- Drinking water provision — marked and cleanCritical
- Adequate lighting in all work areas and welfare facilitiesCritical
- Site plan displayed showing welfare locations, fire points, assembly point
Subcontractor and Agency Compliance
- Employer's Liability Insurance certificate obtained (min £5m)Critical
- Public Liability Insurance certificate obtained (min £2m recommended)Critical
- Professional Indemnity Insurance where design responsibility exists
- Subcontractor Health & Safety policy obtained and reviewedCritical
- Agency compliance confirmation received (RTW checks, CSCS verification)Critical
- CIS registration status confirmed for self-employed subcontractorsCritical
- IR35 status assessment completed for any off-payroll workersCritical
- All agency/umbrella payroll documentation retained for HMRC audit
Ongoing Site Management
- Weekly site safety inspection completed and documented
- Scaffold inspection completed weekly (tag system in place)Critical
- Lifting equipment (LOLER) inspection records currentCritical
- Plant and equipment PUWER inspections currentCritical
- Toolbox talks recorded and signed (minimum monthly)
- Near miss reports completed and investigated
- Subcontractor RAMS reviewed before any new operation startsCritical
- RIDDOR reportable incidents reported to HSE within required timescalesCritical
Key Legislation Reference
Construction project roles, duties, and documentation requirements for notifiable projects
General duty of care for employer safety management
Employer right to work check obligations
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences to the HSE
Welfare facilities, site safety, and working conditions requirements
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations — plant and equipment inspection
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations — hoists, cranes, excavators
Noise assessment and hearing protection requirements
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health — assessment and control of hazardous materials
How Phoenix Gray Handles Worker Compliance
When you engage workers through Phoenix Gray Recruitment, we act as the employer — taking on the compliance obligations for:
- Right to work check — document or digital share code — before first shift
- CSCS card grade and expiry verification for every worker
- Worker identity confirmation
- Payroll (PAYE) managed — eliminating CIS misclassification risk
- Employers' Liability Insurance (£10m) and Public Liability Insurance (£5m)
- Constructionline Silver and Professional Passport accreditation — independently audited
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main compliance requirements on a UK construction site?
Key requirements include: CDM 2015 duties (Principal Designer/Contractor appointment for notifiable projects), right to work checks for all employees, CSCS card verification, RIDDOR accident reporting, fire risk assessment, site welfare provisions, toolbox talks, and subcontractor insurance verification.
Do all construction workers need a CSCS card?
There is no legal requirement to hold a CSCS card, but most principal contractors require one as a site access condition. Different cards apply to different roles: Green (labourer), Blue (NVQ Level 2 trades), Gold (supervisory NVQ Level 3), Black (management/NVQ Level 4+).
Is an F10 notification required for all construction projects?
F10 notification to the HSE is required for CDM-notifiable projects: those lasting longer than 30 working days with more than 20 simultaneous workers, or exceeding 500 person-days of construction work. Your Principal Contractor (or client) is responsible for notification.
What welfare facilities are required by law on construction sites?
Under the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations, sites must provide: toilet facilities (at least 1 WC per 25 workers), washing facilities with running water, a rest area with seating and facilities to heat food, and clean drinking water.