What H&S documents do you need on a construction site? (checklist)
Turning up to site without the right paperwork gets you turned away. Here's the practical checklist of the health & safety documents a UK contractor is expected to have — and which ones apply to which jobs.
The core documents (almost every job)
- Risk assessments — task-specific, for the work you're doing
- Method statements (RAMS) — how the work will be done safely
- Construction phase plan — required on every project under CDM 2015
- Site induction record — proof everyone was inducted before starting
- Health & safety policy — required in writing if you have five or more employees
If you use hazardous substances
- COSHH assessments — one per hazardous substance (solvents, adhesives, cement, fuels)
- COSHH inventory / register — what's on site and where
For high-risk activities (permits to work)
- Permit to dig — excavation near buried services
- Hot work permit — welding, grinding, anything with a spark or flame
- Confined space permit
- Electrical / isolation permit
Inspection & monitoring records
- Plant, equipment and ladder inspection records
- Scaffold and access equipment inspections
- Site monitoring / safety inspection checklists
Registers
- Training and competency records
- Accident book / incident investigation forms (RIDDOR-ready)
- Toolbox talk records with attendance
Not sure which apply to you?
The exact list depends on your trade and the job. Use our free tool to get a tailored list, or browse the full library by category.
Frequently asked questions
What health and safety documents do I need on a construction site?
At a minimum: task-specific risk assessments, method statements (RAMS), a construction phase plan, site induction records, and a written H&S policy if you have five or more employees. Add COSHH assessments for hazardous substances, permits to work for high-risk activities, inspection records, and registers such as accident and toolbox-talk records.
Do I need a health and safety policy?
If you have five or more employees you must have a written health and safety policy. Below five you still need arrangements, but they don't have to be written down — though it's strongly advisable.
What documents does a principal contractor ask for before I start on site?
Typically your risk assessments and method statements (RAMS), evidence of competence and insurance, and any permits relevant to your work. Having these ready is what gets you through pre-start checks.