The riskiest time for a worker is their first day — induction is how you protect it
A health and safety induction makes sure people know the risks and the rules before they start work. The HSWA requires you to provide the information, training, instruction and supervision needed to keep people safe — induction is how you deliver that on day one, for new workers, contractors and visitors alike. Always record it.
People are most at risk when they are new and unfamiliar — they don't yet know your hazards, your layout or your rules.
Induction closes that gap before work starts. It is also part of meeting your duty under the HSWA to provide the information, training, instruction and supervision necessary to protect people from work risks. A good induction is not a form-filling exercise; it is the moment you make sure someone can do their job without harming themselves or others.
Tailor the content to the work, but most inductions share a core set of topics.
| Topic | What to cover |
|---|---|
| Your commitment | The health and safety policy and what is expected of everyone. |
| Hazards and risks | The key hazards for the role and site, and the controls in place. |
| Emergencies | Alarms, evacuation routes, assembly points, and first aid. |
| Rules and PPE | Site rules, required PPE, and any permits or restricted areas. |
| Reporting | How to report hazards, incidents and near misses, and who to talk to. |
| People | Supervisors, first aiders, and the Health and Safety Representative. |
| Facilities | Amenities, access, parking and sign-in. |
Your duty doesn't stop at your own employees — contractors and visitors exposed to your risks need an induction too, scaled to their exposure.
Contractors working on your site are your workers for health and safety purposes, so they need a proper induction into your hazards, rules and emergency procedures — and you should know what they bring with them. Visitors usually need a shorter version: the key hazards, what to do in an emergency, where they can and can't go, and an escort if needed. Tie this to your site sign-in so you always know who is on site. See also our contractor management guide.
An induction only works if the person understood it, and you can show it happened.
Check for understanding rather than just collecting a signature, and follow up with supervision and on-the-job training as the person settles in. Keep a record of who was inducted, when, and what was covered — it is evidence you met your duty, and it tells you who still needs inducting. Refresh the induction when the work, site or risks change.
Deliver and record inductions for workers, contractors and visitors. Book a demo and we'll show you how it works — free 30-day trial included.
There is no single rule that says “run an induction”, but the HSWA requires you to provide the information, training, instruction and supervision needed to protect people from work risks. An induction is the standard, practical way to deliver that when someone first starts.
Your policy and expectations, the key hazards and controls for the role and site, emergency and first aid arrangements, site rules and PPE, how to report hazards and incidents, who the key people are (supervisors, first aiders, HSR), and basic facilities and sign-in.
Yes, scaled to their exposure. Contractors on your site need a full induction into your hazards, rules and emergency procedures. Visitors usually need a shorter briefing covering key hazards, what to do in an emergency, and where they may go.
Yes, as a matter of good practice. A record of who was inducted, when, and on what is your evidence that you met your duty, and it shows you who still needs inducting or refreshing.
Refresh when the work, site or risks change, and consider a periodic refresher for long-serving workers. Returning workers and those moving to a new site or role should also be re-inducted for what is new to them.
