Construction temp references — CSCS, safety and site conduct verification

What construction temp references should cover

Construction employment references should address health and safety conduct on site, adherence to site safety rules and PPE requirements, CSCS card status and any trade qualifications held, competency in the specific trade or labouring role, conduct with site managers, main contractor staff and other trades, any accidents, near-misses or toolbox talk violations during employment, performance on specific construction project types if relevant, and whether the referee would have any concerns about the candidate working on a construction site again. A reference asking about general performance provides no useful information for a construction placement.

Health and safety on construction sites — the reference imperative

Construction sites are among the most hazardous working environments in the UK. A temp worker placed on a construction site with a poor health and safety record creates risk for the worker themselves, for other site workers and for the placing temp agency. Construction site accidents are investigated, responsibility is apportioned, and agencies that cannot demonstrate they conducted proper pre-employment checks — including references that addressed health and safety conduct — face regulatory and legal exposure. RefAssure construction templates include mandatory health and safety questions for every construction temp reference.

For construction agencies placing into environments with specific additional requirements — HSE-notifiable projects, CDM-regulated sites, working at height operations — references should address the candidate's experience with those specific requirements. From 99p per reference with no subscription.