Health and Safety Documents for Contractors
UK contractors are legally required to prepare and maintain a range of health and safety documents. The type and complexity of documentation required depends on the nature and scale of the work. This guide summarises the health and safety documents that UK construction contractors commonly need to produce.
Common Health and Safety Documents for UK Contractors
- Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS)
- Required under CDM 2015 Regulation 15 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 for all significant construction work. Site-specific RAMS are a standard requirement from principal contractors before subcontractors are permitted to start on site.
- Construction Phase Plan (CPP)
- Required under CDM 2015 Regulation 12 for all construction projects. Prepared by the principal contractor (or sole contractor on single-contractor projects) before the construction phase begins.
- COSHH Assessments
- Required under COSHH Regulations 2002 for any work involving hazardous substances. Must cover all substances used — any substance that could harm health in the quantities and manner used must be assessed.
- Toolbox Talk Records
- Signed attendance records for all toolbox talks given. Requested by principal contractors and H&S auditors as evidence of ongoing worker instruction.
- Site Induction Records
- Signed records of all site inductions. Required by most principal contractors; increasingly required by SSIP and prequalification schemes.
- Health and Safety Policy
- A written Health and Safety Policy is required for any organisation with 5 or more employees (Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974). Must include a statement of intent, organisation section, and arrangements section.
- Training Records
- Records of CSCS, CPCS, IPAF, PASMA, first aid, and other relevant training certificates for all operatives. Requested routinely by principal contractors and during prequalification.
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