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What documents do I need before starting building work?

Your essential construction health & safety document checklist

Before work begins on any construction project, it's important to ensure the right health & safety documentation is in place.

From Construction Phase Plans and Risk Assessments to site induction records and emergency procedures, each document supports safer planning, clearer communication and the relevant health and safety duties that apply to the project.

This guide explains the key documents builders and contractors commonly need before starting work, what each one is used for, and how they work together to support safer construction projects.

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Why construction documentation matters

Good documentation isn't about creating paperwork for the sake of it. It's about planning work properly, identifying risks before they become incidents, communicating expectations clearly, and demonstrating that suitable arrangements have been made to protect everyone involved in the project. Having the right documentation in place can help you:

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    Plan projects more effectively
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    Improve communication across the site
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    Demonstrate professionalism to clients and principal contractors
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    Support compliance with CDM 2015
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    Create safer working environments
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    Keep important information organised and accessible

Your construction document checklist

Although every project is different, these are the documents contractors commonly need before work begins.

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Not every document below will apply to every job. What you need will depend on the work involved, the risks, any substances being used, the number of contractors and your role on the project:

Construction Phase Plan (CPP)

A Construction Phase Plan sets out how health and safety will be managed throughout the project.

Required under CDM 2015, it explains the arrangements for managing risks, identifies key responsibilities and outlines the procedures that will be followed before and during construction.

For projects involving more than one contractor, the Principal Contractor is responsible for preparing the Construction Phase Plan. On a single-contractor project, the contractor is responsible for preparing the plan.

Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS)

Risk Assessments identify potential hazards associated with the work, while Method Statements explain how tasks will be completed safely.

Together, RAMS help ensure workers understand both the risks involved and the control measures that should be followed throughout the project.

COSHH Assessments

Where hazardous substances are used or stored on site, COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Assessments help identify potential risks and explain the precautions required to protect workers.

Examples may include:

  • Paints and coatings
  • Adhesives
  • Solvents
  • Cleaning chemicals
  • Cement products
  • Fuels and oils

Site Induction Forms

Every worker arriving on site should understand the rules, hazards and emergency procedures before starting work.

Site induction records provide evidence that workers have received this information and understand their responsibilities.

Site Rules

Site rules establish the standards everyone working on the project is expected to follow.

They may include requirements relating to:

  • PPE
  • Site access
  • Housekeeping
  • Working at height
  • Vehicle movements
  • Smoking and welfare facilities
  • Reporting hazards

Emergency Procedures

Every project should have clear arrangements for responding to emergencies.

This may include:

  • Fire procedures
  • First aid arrangements
  • Emergency contact details
  • Evacuation procedures
  • Assembly points
  • Accident reporting processes

Accident Reporting Forms

Accidents, incidents and near misses should be recorded appropriately.

Having reporting forms readily available helps ensure information can be captured quickly if an incident occurs and supports ongoing improvements to site safety.

Display Documents

Certain health & safety information should be clearly displayed where appropriate, helping everyone on site understand important procedures and legal information.

Display documents may include:

  • Health & safety notices
  • Emergency contact information
  • Site rules
  • First aid information
  • Fire procedures

Site Setup Documentation

Before work starts, it's important to consider how the site will operate safely from day one.

Site setup documentation may include information relating to:

  • Welfare facilities
  • Site access and security
  • Traffic management
  • Storage areas
  • Temporary fencing
  • Deliveries
  • Waste management

How these documents work together

Rather than existing as separate pieces of paperwork, these documents form part of a wider health & safety management system.

Construction Phase Plan

Your Construction Phase Plan sets out how health & safety will be managed across the project.

RAMS

Explain how individual tasks will be carried out safely.

COSHH assessments

Manage risks from hazardous substances.

Site inductions

Communicate important information to workers.

Site rules

Establish consistent expectations across the project.

Emergency procedures

Prepare everyone for unexpected situations.

Managing multiple documents doesn't have to be complicated

Many contractors rely on a mixture of Word documents, spreadsheets, paper forms, and folders to manage their health & safety paperwork.

As projects grow, this can quickly become difficult to maintain.

This is where Ohutu’s construction health and safety app comes into the picture.

Whether you're managing one project or several, having everything organised in one place makes construction paperwork much easier to control.

Managing documents manually Managing documents with Ohutu
Multiple templates to maintain
One guided platform
Separate folders for each document
All paperwork stored together
Repeating the same project details
Reuse key information
Time spent editing documents
Guided document creation
Paperwork spread across folders
Project documents kept together digitally
Harder to update paperwork
Easier revisions

Key Construction Paperwork in One Platform

Ohutu helps contractors create and organise a range of key health and safety documents used before and during construction work.

Using the project information you enter, Ohutu helps you create:

Instead of switching between multiple templates and folders, you can keep key project documents organised together.

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Construction Phase Plans

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Risk assessments and method statements (RAMS)

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COSHH Assessments

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Site induction forms

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Site rules

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Display documents

Checklist

Site setup checklists

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Accident reporting forms

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Other supporting project information

Frequently asked questions

What documents do I need before starting construction work?

The exact documentation depends on the project, but commonly includes a Construction Phase Plan, RAMS, COSHH Assessments, site induction records, site rules, emergency procedures, accident reporting forms, and site setup documentation.

Is a Construction Phase Plan always required?
Yes, under CDM 2015, every construction project requires a suitable Construction Phase Plan before work starts.
What's the difference between a Construction Phase Plan and RAMS?
A Construction Phase Plan explains how health and safety will be managed across the whole project, while RAMS focus on the risks and safe working methods for specific tasks.
Do small building projects still need documentation?
Yes, even smaller domestic projects require suitable planning. The level of documentation should always be proportionate to the size and complexity of the work being undertaken.
What construction documents can Ohutu help me create?
Ohutu helps you create Construction Phase Plans and a wide range of supporting health and safety documents, including RAMS, site induction forms, site rules, accident reporting documents and site setup information. The exact paperwork needed will depend on the project and the work involved.

Explore related pages

If you want to look more closely at how Ohutu works or what it includes, explore the pages below.
Software

Construction Phase Plan software

Find out more
Documents

Construction Phase Plan template guide

Find out more
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RAMS and method statement software

Find out more
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Ohutu vs free CPP templates

Find out more

    Keep your construction paperwork organised from day one

    Managing construction documentation doesn't need to mean juggling countless templates and folders.

    Ohutu helps you create, organise and manage the essential paperwork needed before work begins, giving you more time to focus on delivering projects safely and efficiently.

    Create your first CPP free and see how Ohutu helps you keep construction paperwork organised.

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