Site Management · Mandatory · Construction
Site Induction Register
The Site Induction Register is a master log of all persons who have completed a site induction, recording their name, employer, trade, CSCS card details, induction date, and inductor. It provides an auditable record that everyone on site has been inducted and enables the principal contractor to verify compliance at any time. The register must be maintained and available for inspection throughout the project.
Last reviewed: 29 March 2026 — This guide reflects UK law as of this date. CDM 2015 remains current with no amendments enacted as of 29 March 2026. Next scheduled review: 29 March 2027.
1. The Induction Register — Emergency and Audit Tool
The induction register serves a dual purpose: it is an audit document proving CDM compliance, and an emergency management tool enabling roll-call during evacuation. In a fire evacuation, the site manager reaches the muster point and calls names. Anyone unaccounted for may be trapped — the Fire and Rescue Service needs to know who is missing. The register must be accurate, current, and immediately accessible.
The induction register must be accessible during an emergency — not filed away
Keep it in a clearly marked, brightly coloured folder at the site entrance or site manager's desk. Consider a laminated cover: ‘EMERGENCY — DO NOT REMOVE WITHOUT AUTHORITY.’ All site managers must know where it is and be able to retrieve it within seconds of the alarm.
2. What to Record
| Field | Content |
|---|---|
| Worker name | Full name. |
| Company | Employing company or "self-employed". |
| Trade/role | Job role or trade. |
| CSCS card type | Card type and expiry date (if checked at induction). |
| Induction date | Date conducted. |
| Inducted by | Name of person conducting. |
| Worker signature | Confirming they attended. |
| ID check | Type of identification checked (if applicable). |
| Still on site | Active / Departed — running record for current workforce. |
3. Common Mistakes
Using the register as the only induction record with no individual forms
The register is a summary list. It cannot demonstrate what topics were covered or whether the worker understood. HSE wants both the register and individual induction records.
Not removing departed workers from the "active" column
If the register includes workers who left 3 months ago, it is impossible to determine who is actually missing during an emergency.
Not capturing agency workers, casual labourers, and delivery drivers
An agency worker arriving for a week with no induction is a CDM failure. The PC's rules apply to everyone on site.
Register not updated in real time
If the register is updated at the end of the day or week, an emergency mid-morning when new workers arrived at 8am but have not yet been added results in an incomplete roll-call.
Register not available at the muster point
The register must be immediately accessible during an emergency. Many sites use a duplicate: master copy in the office, laminated summary at the muster point or in the site manager's pocket.
4. Frequently Asked Questions
Is the induction register the same as an attendance register?▾
No — they are different documents. The induction register is a cumulative record of all inductees over the project. The attendance register records who is on site on a given day. In an emergency, both are needed: attendance tells who was on site today, and the induction register tells who is authorised.
Can the register be digital?▾
Yes. Digital systems are increasingly common on larger sites. The register must be immediately accessible during an emergency (not dependent on internet), backed up regularly, and capable of producing a printed roll-call quickly. Many sites maintain a printed backup.
How long should induction registers be retained?▾
Minimum 3 years after the construction phase ends (personal injury limitation). For long-latency disease exposure (asbestos, silica, lead), retain for 40 years.
What if a worker arrives and the inductor is not available?▾
No worker should begin without an induction. Options: a secondary designated inductor; the worker waits; or a brief verbal emergency briefing while scheduling the full induction. "Just go ahead and start — we will induct you later" is a compliance failure.
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Construction Suite walks you through every required section with a guided Q&A — built to CDM 2015 — 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.