Site Management · Mandatory · Construction
Site Attendance Register
The Site Attendance Register records the names and arrival/departure times of all persons on site each day, enabling accurate headcounts during emergencies and providing evidence for HMRC Construction Industry Scheme compliance. It must capture every individual including workers, visitors, and delivery drivers. Electronic sign-in systems or manual registers must be maintained at all site access points.
Last reviewed: 29 March 2026 — This guide reflects UK law as of this date. MHSWR / CIS remains current with no amendments enacted as of 29 March 2026. Next scheduled review: 29 March 2027.
1. Site Attendance — Knowing Who Is On Site at All Times
At any moment, the principal contractor must be able to answer one question: who is on site right now? In an emergency, this becomes critical. When the Fire and Rescue Service asks whether anyone is unaccounted for, the attendance register is the only reliable source.
The register must record both arrivals and departures. A worker signed in at 7:30am and signed out at 3:00pm is confirmed to have left — there is no need to account for them at a 4pm evacuation. A worker signed in with no departure recorded is potentially still on site and may be trapped.
A register without departure times is incomplete — workers who have already left appear to be missing
If 40 workers signed in and 20 signed out, the manager accounts for 20 at the muster point. If no departures are recorded, all 40 must be accounted for — most may have gone home. This creates chaos, delays the fire brigade, and means real missing persons are overlooked.
2. What to Record
| Field | Content |
|---|---|
| Date | Each page date-specific — one per day. |
| Worker name | Full name or CSCS card scan. |
| Company | Employing company. |
| Trade/role | Brief description. |
| Sign in time | Time of arrival — ideally in the worker's own handwriting. |
| Sign out time | Time of departure — confirmed on exit. |
| CIS verification | CIS verification number (subcontractors/self-employed) or payroll reference (direct employees). |
| Supervisor signature | End-of-day confirmation by site manager that the register is complete. |
3. Common Mistakes
Sign-in but no sign-out
Every sign-in must be matched by a sign-out. Place the register at the site gate, require sign-out on exit, and have the gate person confirm at end of day. Electronic access control automates this entirely.
Self-employed workers treated as employees
CIS requires correct status identification. Incorrect treatment creates PAYE/NIC liability. Record CIS status and verification number for all non-employees on every attendance entry.
No record for short-notice or day-labour workers
These workers are the most likely to be omitted and the most at risk. The register must capture everyone including late arrivals and casual labourers without exception.
Not cross-referencing with induction register
A worker on the attendance register but not in the induction register means they are working without induction — a CDM failure. Weekly cross-reference checks between registers catch this.
Attendance register not at controlled access point
The register only works if it captures everyone. If there are multiple entry points, each needs its own register or a single digital system covering all points.
4. Frequently Asked Questions
Is the CIS scheme a legal requirement?▾
Yes. It is operated by HMRC. Contractors must register, verify status before first payment, make deductions at the appropriate rate (20% verified, 30% unverified, 0% gross), and submit monthly returns. There are significant penalties for non-compliance.
Can electronic sign-in replace paper?▾
Yes. Electronic systems record entry and exit automatically, link to ID/CSCS cards, provide real-time data, and enable instant emergency roll-call. The system must be always functional (not dependent on Wi-Fi), produce a usable list quickly, and be retrievable for CIS. Paper backup is advisable.
How long should records be kept?▾
Minimum 3 years for personal injury claims. HMRC may request up to 6 years for CIS. For long-latency occupational disease, 40 years. Practically, 6 years after practical completion covers most requirements.
What if a worker refuses to sign in?▾
They must not begin work. The register is an essential safety and CIS tool, not optional. The subcontractor employer should be notified. If there is concern about data use, explain it is for emergency roll-call and CIS only. GDPR considerations should be addressed in the PC's privacy notice — legitimate processing purpose.
Generate your Site Attendance Register on Construction Suite
Construction Suite walks you through every required section with a guided Q&A — built to MHSWR / CIS — and generates a professionally formatted document in minutes.
Get started freeThis guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, regulations change and individual project circumstances vary. Construction Suite is a trading name of Xzist Digital Ltd, registered in England and Wales.