A good site induction for labour hire workers covers four things: the site brief before arrival, identity and ticket checks at sign-in, site-specific hazards and emergency procedures, and who they report to. Done well, it takes 20–30 minutes and gets new workers safe and productive from the first hour.
Labour hire workers arrive trained and ticketed, but every site is different. The induction is where general competence becomes site-specific safety.
Use this checklist as a starting point and adapt it to your principal contractor's requirements and your safe work method statements.
What To Send The Labour Hire Company Before Day One
Send the site address and access point, parking or transport notes, start time, site contact name and phone number, required PPE beyond the basics, tickets needed, and a copy of any online induction to complete in advance.
- Access: gate, loading dock or site shed location, and sign-in method.
- Timing: start time, breaks and expected finish.
- PPE: anything beyond hard hat, hi-vis and steel caps — gloves, eyewear, respirators, harnesses.
- Paperwork: online inductions, SWMS to read, and any clearances required.
What To Cover At Sign-In
Check photo ID and the White Card, sight any high risk work licence and confirm its class and expiry, record details in the site register, and confirm emergency contact details.
| Stage | Check | Done By |
|---|---|---|
| Before Day One | Site brief, PPE list, tickets, online induction | Host + labour hire company |
| Sign-In | Photo ID, White Card, HRWL class and expiry | Site manager |
| Induction | Hazards, emergency, first aid, SWMS, amenities | Site manager / HSE |
| First Task | Clear brief and a leading hand | Supervisor |
| End Of Day One | Feedback to labour hire company | Supervisor |
What To Cover In The Site Induction
Cover the site layout, emergency procedures and assembly point, first aid officers and kits, amenities, site-specific hazards, exclusion zones, traffic management, the relevant SWMS, reporting of incidents and near misses, and who the worker reports to.
- Hazards: open edges, penetrations, live services, plant movements, crane lifts.
- Rules: smoking, phones, housekeeping, working hours and noise limits.
- Supervision: the name of their supervisor and how to raise a concern.
How To Get Labour Hire Workers Productive Fast
Pair new workers with a leading hand for the first task, give a clear brief of the day's work, and give feedback early. If someone is not the right fit, tell the labour hire company the same day.
Keeping the same workers on your site across a project compounds these gains — every day they already know the rules is a day you do not repeat the induction.
Quick Answers
Who Is Responsible For Inducting Labour Hire Workers?
The host site is responsible for the site-specific induction, because it controls the workplace. The labour hire company must make sure workers are trained, ticketed and briefed before they arrive.
How Long Should A Site Induction Take?
Most site inductions take 20 to 30 minutes, plus any online induction completed in advance. Complex or high-risk sites take longer.
Do Labour Hire Workers Need To Read The SWMS?
Yes. Workers carrying out high risk construction work must be made aware of and follow the relevant safe work method statement, and should sign to confirm they understand it.
What If A Worker Arrives Without The Right Ticket?
Do not let them perform the task. Call the labour hire company immediately for a replacement with the correct licence.
Where To Next
General information only, current at the date above. Check requirements for your specific site with the relevant regulator.