A UK construction site health and safety audit: CDM duties and paperwork, site set-up and security, inductions and cards, welfare, access and traffic, work at height, excavations and temporary works, plant and lifting, electrics, fire and first aid, COSHH and occupational health, housekeeping and environment, PPE, RAMS and permits — with demolition, asbestos, confined spaces and work near water switched on only where they apply. Scored, with an overall Red/Amber/Green rating and a corrective action list.
Audit Details
Which project, at what stage, and who walked it.
Audit Title
Reference
Project
Site address
Principal contractor
Client
Site manager on the day
Main activity on site — Enabling and demolition, Groundworks and substructure, Frame, Envelope and roofing, Mechanical and electrical, Fit-out and finishes, External works, Refurbishment of an occupied building
People on site today
Accompanied by
Your Company
Auditor
Your Role
Date
Time
Management and CDM Duties
The arrangements behind the site: plan, duty holders, notices and records.
Have the actions from the last audit all been closed out? — Yes, No, N/A
Which actions are still open?
Is there a construction phase plan, current for the work happening now? — Yes, No, N/A
Do the site team know who the client, principal designer and principal contractor are? — Yes, No, N/A
If the project is notifiable, is the F10 on display? — Yes, No, N/A
Is a current employers' liability insurance certificate displayed? — Yes, No, N/A
Is the health and safety law poster displayed where workers can see it? — Yes, No, N/A
Are the site rules on display and covered at induction? — Yes, No, N/A
Have subcontractors been checked for competence and resources before starting? — Yes, No, N/A
Is supervision on the ground enough for the riskiest work happening today? — Yes, No, N/A
Is there an accident book that protects personal details, and does the team know what must be reported under RIDDOR? — Yes, No, N/A
Are the inspection registers — scaffold, excavation, lifting equipment — up to date? — Yes, No, N/A
Management notes
Site Set-Up and Security
The boundary, the entrance and what is on the notice board.
Is the boundary hoarding or fencing complete, secure and lockable? — Yes, No, N/A
Is the entrance signed — site name, PPE rules, visitors to report to the office? — Yes, No, N/A
Do visitors sign in and get escorted or briefed? — Yes, No, N/A
Where work overhangs a road or footpath, are the public protected by fans, gantries or a diverted route? — Yes, No, N/A
Are the emergency contacts, fire plan, assembly point and first aid location displayed? — Yes, No, N/A
Are smoking and vaping limited to a marked area away from materials? — Yes, No, N/A
At the end of the day are plant immobilised, ladders removed and openings covered? — Yes, No, N/A
Set-up photos
Inductions, Cards and Consultation
Is everyone on site briefed, qualified for their work and listened to?
Has everyone on site today, including visitors, had the site induction? — Yes, No, N/A
Are induction records signed and kept, and is the induction kept up to date as the site changes? — Yes, No, N/A
Have skills cards been checked, and do they match the work each person is doing? — Yes, No, N/A
Do plant operators hold a recognised card for the machine they are using? — Yes, No, N/A
Are toolbox talks happening, relevant to current work, with a signed register? — Yes, No, N/A
Is there a way for workers to raise concerns — a forum, a representative or a suggestion box — with actions followed up? — Yes, No, N/A
Notes on people and training
Welfare
Toilets, washing, drinking water, somewhere to eat and somewhere to change.
Are there enough toilets for the headcount, lit, ventilated and clean? — Yes, No, N/A
Are there basins with hot and cold or warm water, soap and a way to dry hands — large enough to wash forearms? — Yes, No, N/A
Is drinking water available, marked as drinking water, with cups or a fountain? — Yes, No, N/A
Is there a heated rest area with tables, seats and a way to boil water and heat food? — Yes, No, N/A
Is there somewhere to change and to dry and store wet clothing? — Yes, No, N/A
Where the work is dirty or involves hazardous substances, are showers provided? — Yes, No, N/A
Are toilets, basins and the rest area cleaned every day and kept stocked with soap and paper? — Yes, No, N/A
Welfare photos
Access, Egress and Traffic
How people and vehicles get in, move about and get out.
Can every work area be reached and left safely, without climbing over materials or through another trade's work? — Yes, No, N/A
Are pedestrian routes separated from vehicles by barriers, not just paint? — Yes, No, N/A
Are walkways and stairs clear of materials and trailing leads? — Yes, No, N/A
Are routes and work areas lit well enough, including at dusk? — Yes, No, N/A
Is a traffic management plan in place, and does what you see on the ground match it? — Yes, No, N/A
Is reversing kept to a minimum and controlled by a trained vehicle marshal where needed? — Yes, No, N/A
Is the site gate managed so vehicles enter and leave without endangering the public? — Yes, No, N/A
Are the approach roads kept free of mud and debris and of contractors' parking? — Yes, No, N/A
Access and traffic photos
Work at Height
Scaffolds, towers, MEWPs, ladders, edges and fragile surfaces.
Is any work at height happening on site?
Has work at height been avoided where it reasonably could be — built at ground level, lifted into place? — Yes, No, N/A
Do open edges have a top rail, an intermediate rail and toe boards or brick guards? — Yes, No, N/A
Are holes and openings covered with fixed, marked covers or guarded? — Yes, No, N/A
Has each scaffold been inspected before first use, every seven days and after bad weather, with a record? — Yes, No, N/A
Do scaffolds carry a status tag, and are incomplete ones signed and barred off? — Yes, No, N/A
Are scaffolds fully boarded, tied and free of overloading? — Yes, No, N/A
Are mobile towers put up by trained people, with outriggers and brakes on? — Yes, No, N/A
Are MEWP operators trained, with harnesses clipped in boom-type machines and a rescue plan? — Yes, No, N/A
Are ladders used only for short, light work, in good condition, footed or tied, and rising about 1 m above the landing? — Yes, No, N/A
Are fragile roofs and rooflights protected or marked, with nets or covers below? — Yes, No, N/A
Is the area below work at height closed off to stop falling objects hitting anyone? — Yes, No, N/A
Work at height photos
Excavations and Temporary Works
Digging, and anything holding something else up while it is built.
Are there excavations or temporary works on site?
Were buried services traced with drawings and a locator before digging, under a permit to dig? — Yes, No, N/A
Are excavation sides supported, battered back or stepped? — Yes, No, N/A
Are edges barriered and are vehicles kept back with stop blocks where needed? — Yes, No, N/A
Is there a safe way in and out — a secured ladder or steps? — Yes, No, N/A
Are spoil, materials and plant kept back from the edge? — Yes, No, N/A
Is each excavation inspected at the start of every shift and the inspection recorded? — Yes, No, N/A
Is there a named temporary works coordinator, with a register of temporary works? — Yes, No, N/A
Are falsework, propping and formwork built to a design and checked before loading or striking? — Yes, No, N/A
Excavation and temporary works photos
Plant, Lifting and Equipment
Machines, lifts and the tools in people's hands.
Are daily pre-use checks done and recorded for every item of plant? — Yes, No, N/A
Is plant in good condition, with guards, lights, alarms and seat belts working? — Yes, No, N/A
Are exclusion zones set up and kept around working plant? — Yes, No, N/A
Do lifting equipment and accessories have in-date thorough examination reports? — Yes, No, N/A
Is each lift planned by a competent person, with a lift plan for anything beyond routine? — Yes, No, N/A
Are loads slung and signalled by trained people, never over workers? — Yes, No, N/A
Are hand and power tools in good condition with guards fitted, and right for the job? — Yes, No, N/A
Where cartridge tools are used, are operators trained and cartridges locked away and accounted for? — Yes, No, N/A
Plant and equipment photos
Electricity and Services
Temporary supplies, tools and leads, and live services in the ground or overhead.
Are portable tools 110 V centre-tapped-to-earth, or battery powered? — Yes, No, N/A
Are leads undamaged, routed overhead or protected, and not trip hazards? — Yes, No, N/A
Are tools and leads inspected and tested, with an in-date label? — Yes, No, N/A
Are temporary supplies RCD-protected and earthed, in lockable boards? — Yes, No, N/A
Can temporary supplies be isolated and locked off? — Yes, No, N/A
Have existing services been identified, isolated or protected? — Yes, No, N/A
Where there are overhead lines, are goalposts and barriers in place? — Yes, No, N/A
Electrical notes
Fire, First Aid and Emergency
If something goes wrong today, what happens?
Is there a fire risk assessment for the site, reviewed as the building has changed? — Yes, No, N/A
Are fire points set up with suitable, in-date extinguishers? — Yes, No, N/A
Is there a way to raise the alarm that everyone can hear, and is it tested? — Yes, No, N/A
Are escape routes clear, signed and lit? — Yes, No, N/A
Is hot work done under a permit, with a fire watch afterwards? — Yes, No, N/A
Is combustible waste cleared regularly and kept away from the building? — Yes, No, N/A
Are temporary sheeting and protection materials flame-retardant? — Yes, No, N/A
Is there an emergency plan, known to everyone and practised, including how the emergency services find the site? — Yes, No, N/A
Are there enough trained first aiders on every shift, with their names displayed? — Yes, No, N/A
Are first aid kits stocked, signed and easy to reach? — Yes, No, N/A
Fire and emergency photos
COSHH and Occupational Health
Substances, dust, noise, vibration and lifting.
Are there COSHH assessments for the hazardous substances in use, and have users been briefed? — Yes, No, N/A
Can you find the safety data sheet for each hazardous product on site? — Yes, No, N/A
Are substances, fuels and oils stored securely, labelled and bunded? — Yes, No, N/A
Are gas cylinders upright, caged, segregated by type, with valves shut when not in use and flashback arrestors fitted? — Yes, No, N/A
Is dust from cutting and drilling controlled at source with water or extraction? — Yes, No, N/A
Is respiratory protective equipment face-fit tested for the people wearing it? — Yes, No, N/A
Is noise assessed, with hearing protection zones marked where it is loud? — Yes, No, N/A
Is exposure to hand-arm vibration assessed and tracked for the tools in use? — Yes, No, N/A
Is heavy or awkward lifting assessed and reduced with aids? — Yes, No, N/A
Is health surveillance in place where the risks need it — noise, vibration, dust? — Yes, No, N/A
Health notes
Housekeeping, Waste and Environment
A tidy site, waste handled properly, and the neighbours protected.
Are work areas tidy, with materials stored and stacked safely? — Yes, No, N/A
Is waste segregated into skips, with waste transfer notes kept? — Yes, No, N/A
Are spill kits stocked and placed by fuel stores and plant, and do people know where they are? — Yes, No, N/A
Are drains protected from silt, concrete washout and fuel? — Yes, No, N/A
Are dust, noise and lighting kept from causing a nuisance to neighbours? — Yes, No, N/A
Are protected species, nesting birds, protected trees and invasive plants managed where present? — Yes, No, N/A
Is there a way for neighbours to complain, with complaints logged and answered? — Yes, No, N/A
Housekeeping and environment photos
Personal Protective Equipment
The last line of protection, worn and fit for the job.
Is the site's standard PPE — helmet, high-visibility clothing, boots — being worn by everyone? — Yes, No, N/A
Is task-specific PPE — eye, hearing, hand, respiratory — being worn where the work needs it? — Yes, No, N/A
Is PPE in good condition and replaced when worn or damaged? — Yes, No, N/A
Is there a record of PPE issued and training on its use? — Yes, No, N/A
Are harnesses and lanyards inspected and in date? — Yes, No, N/A
PPE notes
RAMS and Permits
The written plan for each activity, and whether the work matches it.
Is there a risk assessment and method statement for each activity, prepared by someone competent? — Yes, No, N/A
Have RAMS been reviewed by the principal contractor before the work started? — Yes, No, N/A
Have operatives been briefed on their RAMS and signed to say so? — Yes, No, N/A
Does the work you saw match what the method statement says? — Yes, No, N/A
Are live permits — hot work, dig, confined space, electrical — valid and being followed? — Yes, No, N/A
Are finished permits cancelled and filed? — Yes, No, N/A
RAMS and permit notes
Specialist Activities
Demolition, asbestos, confined spaces and work near water — only where they are happening.
Is demolition or structural alteration under way?
Is there a written demolition plan by a competent person, with structural stability considered? — Yes, No, N/A
Have all services been disconnected and proven dead before demolition? — Yes, No, N/A
Is the drop zone and the area around it closed off and signed? — Yes, No, N/A
Are dust and noise from demolition being suppressed? — Yes, No, N/A
Could asbestos be disturbed by the work — refurbishment or demolition of a building built before 2000?
Is there a refurbishment and demolition asbestos survey for the areas being worked on? — Yes, No, N/A
Have the people working in those areas been told where the asbestos is? — Yes, No, N/A
Is licensable asbestos being removed only by a licensed contractor, notified to the enforcing authority in advance? — Yes, No, N/A
Are clearance certificates in place before areas are reoccupied? — Yes, No, N/A
Is anyone entering a confined space — a chamber, tank, manhole or deep pit?
Is entry under a permit, with a specific risk assessment? — Yes, No, N/A
Are entrants and the top person trained for confined space work? — Yes, No, N/A
Is the air tested before and during entry with a calibrated gas monitor? — Yes, No, N/A
Is the rescue plan written down, with the rescue kit at the entrance before anyone goes in? — Yes, No, N/A
Is work happening on, over or next to water?
Are lifejackets or buoyancy aids worn where someone could fall in? — Yes, No, N/A
Is rescue equipment — throw lines, rings, a boat if needed — on hand? — Yes, No, N/A
Are silty water, spoil and fuel kept out of the watercourse? — Yes, No, N/A
Are any permits or consents for working in or near the water in place? — Yes, No, N/A
Specialist activity photos
Findings and Sign-Off
What was put right on the spot, what still needs doing, and who agreed.
Overall rating — Red — serious failings, act now, Amber — improvements needed, Green — well controlled
Did any work have to stop during the audit?
What was stopped, and who was told?
Corrective actions
What needs doing
Exactly where
Priority — Stop now, Today, This week, Before next inspection
Owner — a person, not a company
Due by
Closed out on
Photo
Good practice worth sharing with other sites
Summary of the audit
Any other photographs
Next audit due
Auditor — signature
Project or site manager — name
Project or site manager — signature
Date every action was closed out
Construction
Construction Site Audit (UK)
A UK construction site health and safety audit: CDM duties and paperwork, site set-up and security, inductions and cards, welfare, access and traffic, work at height, excavations and temporary works, plant and lifting, electrics, fire and first aid, COSHH and occupational health, housekeeping and environment, PPE, RAMS and permits — with demolition, asbestos, confined spaces and work near water switched on only where they apply. Scored, with an overall Red/Amber/Green rating and a corrective action list.
✓Free — no account, no trial, no card.
Fill this in and download the finished PDF. Your answers stay on this device as you type. We ask for an email address once, at the download.
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This audit is written for UK sites and UK regulations. Auditing a project anywhere else, or want a shorter walk that checks the paperwork against the site? That has its own page: Construction site inspection
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A construction site audit is a structured look at how well a UK site is managing health and safety — not only what is on the ground today, but whether the arrangements behind it are working: the construction phase plan, inductions, RAMS, permits, inspections and registers. This one is written around CDM 2015 and the regulations that sit beside it, covers the topics that matter on most sites in the order you would walk them, and switches the rarer activities on only when they are happening. It records what was found; it does not certify a site as compliant. You can fill it in here and download a finished PDF without creating an account.
Audit or inspection?
A site inspection looks at conditions — is that scaffold boarded, is that excavation fenced. An audit also asks whether the system that should have caught the problem is working: was the scaffold inspected and recorded, was the excavation covered by a permit to dig, were the people doing the work briefed on the method statement. A site can look tidy on the day and still fail an audit because nothing behind it would keep it that way.
That is why each topic here mixes the two: a few questions about the paperwork and the people, then what you can see. Where the two disagree — a register that says the scaffold was inspected yesterday and a scaffold with missing toe boards — write it down. That gap is usually the most useful finding of the day.
CDM 2015 in one paragraph
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 apply to all construction work in Great Britain. Where more than one contractor is involved, the client must appoint a principal designer and a principal contractor, and the principal contractor must draw up a construction phase plan before work starts. Projects lasting more than 30 working days with more than 20 workers on site at once, or exceeding 500 person-days, must be notified to HSE on an F10, and the notification displayed on site. Every contractor must provide welfare, inductions and supervision appropriate to the work. The first section of this audit checks those duties; the rest checks whether they are doing their job.
Topics that switch on and off
Work at height, excavations and the specialist activities each start with one question. Answer No and the whole topic folds away and drops out of the score, so a fit-out site is not marked down for having no trenches. Demolition, asbestos removal, confined spaces and work on or near water are grouped together near the end, because on most sites they are either absent or the most dangerous thing happening that week.
Scoring and the Red/Amber/Green rating
The score is the share of checks answered Yes out of everything that applied. It is useful for trends — the same site month on month, or comparing sites in a programme — but it is not a verdict. A site can score 90% and still have someone working at an unprotected edge.
So the audit ends with your own Red/Amber/Green rating, separate from the score, and a list of corrective actions with an owner and a date. A Red rating appears at the top of the report's summary of findings. On the phone, Start a re-inspection turns every failed check into its own card for the follow-up visit, and the follow-up report puts each one beside what you found the first time. Speak while you walk, and the document writes itself.
Common questions
What does a construction site audit cover?
Management arrangements and CDM duties, site set-up, inductions and competence, welfare, access and traffic, work at height, excavations and temporary works, plant and lifting, electrical safety, fire and first aid, COSHH and occupational health, housekeeping and environment, PPE, and risk assessments, method statements and permits.
How often should a construction site be audited?
There is no single legal frequency. Many principal contractors audit each site monthly, with weekly inspections by the site manager in between, and more often during high-risk phases such as demolition, groundworks or the frame.
Does completing this audit make a site CDM compliant?
No. It records what the auditor found on the day against the main duties. Compliance is a matter for the duty holders and, ultimately, HSE. Treat the audit as evidence of checking, and the corrective actions as the work.
Who should carry out the audit?
Someone competent in construction health and safety who is independent of the day-to-day running of the site — a company safety adviser, a contracts manager from another project, or an external consultant. The site manager should walk round with them.
Can I use this outside the UK?
The topics travel well, but the questions name UK regulations and documents such as the F10, LOLER and CSCS cards. For a site elsewhere, the general construction site inspection page is a better fit.
Can the next audit start from this one?
Yes. In the ReportWalk app, a re-inspection brings back only the checks that failed, each with fixed, partly fixed or not fixed and an after photo, and puts what is still outstanding first. Re-inspections are free.