Site Management · Mandatory · Pre-Construction
Site Set-Up Checklist
The Site Set-Up Checklist ensures that all essential facilities, access arrangements, and safety provisions are in place before construction work begins. It covers hoarding, signage, welfare facilities, temporary services, security, emergency access, and environmental controls. Completing this checklist demonstrates compliance with CDM 2015 requirements for a safe and well-organised site establishment.
Last reviewed: 29 March 2026 — This guide reflects UK law as of this date. CDM 2015 / MHSWR remains current with no amendments enacted as of 29 March 2026. Next scheduled review: 29 March 2027.
1. Why Site Set-Up Matters — Before the First Spade Hits the Ground
Site set-up is not an administrative exercise — it is the point at which legal obligations crystallise. CDM 2015 Regulation 13 requires the principal contractor to ensure that welfare facilities, access control, site inductions, and site rules are in place from the start of the construction phase. These are not aspirations to be achieved ‘when things settle down’ — they are conditions that must be met before workers arrive on site. The site set-up checklist is the PC's documented confirmation that all required preconditions are in place.
No welfare facilities = no work
Workers must not begin construction until Schedule 2 is in place. CDM 2015 Schedule 2 welfare requirements are mandatory from the start. HSE inspectors visiting on day 1 will check welfare facilities as a priority.
2. Key Elements
| Element | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Site boundaries | Hoarding/fencing complete and secure. Entry gate lockable. Signage: site name, emergency contacts, no entry to unauthorised persons. |
| Welfare (Sched 2) | WC provision adequate. Hot/cold wash water. Drinking water labelled. Changing room. Rest area with seating and table. |
| Site office | Construction Phase Plan available. F10 notice displayed (if notifiable). Insurance documents accessible. First aid box stocked. |
| Fire precautions | Temporary fire alarm (bell/klaxon). Fire extinguishers positioned. Muster point established. Evacuation route clear. |
| First aid | First aider named and present. First aid box stocked. First aid arrangements documented in CPP. |
| Communications | Emergency contact list posted. Site manager contact displayed. Emergency services access confirmed. |
| Induction ready | Induction process established. Induction register prepared. Site rules document ready for distribution. |
| Plant & services | Temporary services installed safely. Temporary electrical installation tested. Temporary lighting adequate. |
| Waste management | Skip/waste containers in position. Waste segregation plan. Hazardous waste storage identified. |
| F10 notification | Confirmed notifiable / not notifiable. If notifiable: F10 submitted, notice displayed at site office. |
3. Common Mistakes
Workers starting before welfare facilities are in place
Single most common CDM 2015 failure. Welfare must be in place before work begins, not installed during the first week. Mobile welfare units must be on site, connected (water, waste), and operational.
Site boundary and access control incomplete at commencement
An unsecured site is a foreseeable public liability risk, particularly in urban areas where children could access. The full perimeter must be hoarded/fenced, all gates lockable with anti-climb measures.
No temporary fire alarm or muster point established
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies from the point of occupation. A fire alarm (even a klaxon/bell) and muster point must be established before workers arrive.
Construction Phase Plan not available on site from day one
CDM 2015 requires the CPP to be prepared before construction begins and available on site throughout. A CPP that is "being finalised" or "in draft" when workers arrive is a compliance failure.
F10 notice not displayed for notifiable projects
Projects meeting the notification threshold but not notified to HSE are in criminal breach of CDM 2015. The notification status must be confirmed and the notice displayed.
4. Frequently Asked Questions
How many toilets are required on a construction site?▾
CDM 2015 Schedule 2 does not specify a fixed ratio, but HSE guidance recommends 1 WC per 25 workers (where urinals are provided) or 1 WC per 7 workers (WC only). Female workers need separate provision. Chemical toilets are acceptable where mains connection is not possible but must be emptied regularly.
When must the Construction Phase Plan be prepared?▾
CDM 2015 Regulation 12 requires the CPP to be prepared before the construction phase begins. Core arrangements — welfare, access control, induction, site rules, emergency procedures — must be described before workers arrive. The CPP is a living document reviewed as the project progresses.
Does CDM 2015 apply to small domestic projects?▾
Yes, CDM 2015 applies to all construction work including domestic. For domestic clients, most client duties pass to the contractor (single contractor) or principal contractor (multiple contractors). The level of formality scales with size and complexity.
Is a site set-up checklist a legal requirement?▾
The checklist itself is not prescribed by CDM 2015, but the obligations it captures (welfare, access control, fire precautions, CPP) are all legal requirements. The checklist documents compliance and provides an audit trail demonstrating the PC fulfilled Regulation 13 duties from day one.
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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.