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Site signage

Provide legible site identity, emergency, access, PPE, hazard, visitor, and public information at the point it is needed.

signageemergencyPPEvisitor3 common tradesLast reviewed 11 August 2026

How to execute this stage

Micro-stage control plan

Work through each applicable step in order. A hold point means pause the dependent decision or work until the stated evidence and authorised review are complete.

3 structured steps
  1. 01Place site contact, emergency, visitor, PPE, restricted access, delivery, hazard, and assembly information at entrances and work areasLevel 2 · Site start
    TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext action

    Simple explanation

    Place site contact, emergency, visitor, PPE, restricted access, delivery, hazard, and assembly information at entrances and work areas.

    Technical context

    Coordinate this work against Site establishment plan, Project H&S plan, the current consent status, and the actual site condition. Confirm interfaces before releasing dependent work.

    Why it matters: The main recorded risk is: Wrong emergency information. A missed check can create rework, delay, hidden defects, an inspection failure, or a departure from approved project documents.

    Prerequisites

    • Site establishment plan is current, approved for the intended use, and available to the people doing the work.
    • Project H&S plan and relevant product information have been checked.
    • Access, responsibility, safety controls, preceding work and the site signage check sequence are confirmed.

    Checks

    • Check the completed work against Site establishment plan and Project H&S plan.
    • Check specifically for: Wrong emergency information.
    • Avoid this known mistake: Starting site signage without confirming the current documents and responsibility.

    Evidence to save

    • Wide, location-identifying and close-up photographs of the completed site signage work before it is concealed.
    • Marked-up Site establishment plan or a precise drawing/detail reference.
    • Site signage check result, consultant record, trade QA record or written not-applicable reason.

    Hold point

    Do not cover, backfill, load, connect, certify or release the next activity until Site signage check and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.

    Stop or escalate when

    • Wrong emergency information
    • Starting site signage without confirming the current documents and responsibility
    • The current drawing, approval, competent reviewer or required evidence cannot be confirmed.

    Documents and records

    • Site establishment plan
    • Project H&S plan
    • Current RFI/site-instruction/change record
    • Inspection and evidence register
    Cost effect
    Rectification, reinspection, delay, damaged follow-on work, access loss and changed scope can increase the cost of site signage. Record the cause and obtain written pricing before approving a commercial change.
    Programme effect
    This activity controls the release of dependent work. Update the lookahead programme and notify affected trades if the hold point, information, inspection or evidence is not ready.

    Next action

    Check consent, corridor, environmental, or project-specific signs and notices before the relevant activity starts.

    Applicability: Apply when this work package is included in the current project scope. Confirm project-specific consent, contract, design, site and authority requirements.

    Use the current consented/issued project documents and competent site review. BuildPath does not approve work.

  2. 02Check consent, corridor, environmental, or project-specific signs and notices before the relevant activity startsLevel 2 · Site start
    TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext action

    Simple explanation

    Check consent, corridor, environmental, or project-specific signs and notices before the relevant activity starts.

    Technical context

    Coordinate this work against Emergency plan, Consent and corridor requirements, the current consent status, and the actual site condition. Confirm interfaces before releasing dependent work.

    Why it matters: The main recorded risk is: Unreadable or hidden sign. A missed check can create rework, delay, hidden defects, an inspection failure, or a departure from approved project documents.

    Prerequisites

    • Emergency plan is current, approved for the intended use, and available to the people doing the work.
    • Consent and corridor requirements and relevant product information have been checked.
    • Access, responsibility, safety controls, preceding work and the emergency information review sequence are confirmed.

    Checks

    • Check the completed work against Emergency plan and Consent and corridor requirements.
    • Check specifically for: Unreadable or hidden sign.
    • Avoid this known mistake: Relying on a verbal answer without recording the source, decision, owner, and due date.

    Evidence to save

    • Wide, location-identifying and close-up photographs of the completed site signage work before it is concealed.
    • Marked-up Emergency plan or a precise drawing/detail reference.
    • Emergency information review result, consultant record, trade QA record or written not-applicable reason.

    Hold point

    Do not cover, backfill, load, connect, certify or release the next activity until Emergency information review and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.

    Stop or escalate when

    • Unreadable or hidden sign
    • Relying on a verbal answer without recording the source, decision, owner, and due date
    • The current drawing, approval, competent reviewer or required evidence cannot be confirmed.

    Documents and records

    • Emergency plan
    • Consent and corridor requirements
    • Current RFI/site-instruction/change record
    • Inspection and evidence register
    Cost effect
    Rectification, reinspection, delay, damaged follow-on work, access loss and changed scope can increase the cost of site signage. Record the cause and obtain written pricing before approving a commercial change.
    Programme effect
    This activity controls the release of dependent work. Update the lookahead programme and notify affected trades if the hold point, information, inspection or evidence is not ready.

    Next action

    Remove obsolete signs and update contacts, hazards, access routes, and emergency information as the site changes.

    Applicability: Apply when this work package is included in the current project scope. Confirm project-specific consent, contract, design, site and authority requirements.

    Use the current consented/issued project documents and competent site review. BuildPath does not approve work.

  3. 03Remove obsolete signs and update contacts, hazards, access routes, and emergency information as the site changesLevel 2 · Site start
    TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext action

    Simple explanation

    Remove obsolete signs and update contacts, hazards, access routes, and emergency information as the site changes.

    Technical context

    Coordinate this work against TMP where required, Project H&S plan, the current consent status, and the actual site condition. Confirm interfaces before releasing dependent work.

    Why it matters: The main recorded risk is: Public enters wrong gate. A missed check can create rework, delay, hidden defects, an inspection failure, or a departure from approved project documents.

    Prerequisites

    • TMP where required is current, approved for the intended use, and available to the people doing the work.
    • Project H&S plan and relevant product information have been checked.
    • Access, responsibility, safety controls, preceding work and the site signage check sequence are confirmed.

    Checks

    • Check the completed work against TMP where required and Project H&S plan.
    • Check specifically for: Public enters wrong gate.
    • Avoid this known mistake: Allowing the next activity to hide incomplete checks or missing evidence.

    Evidence to save

    • Wide, location-identifying and close-up photographs of the completed site signage work before it is concealed.
    • Marked-up TMP where required or a precise drawing/detail reference.
    • Site signage check result, consultant record, trade QA record or written not-applicable reason.

    Hold point

    Do not cover, backfill, load, connect, certify or release the next activity until Site signage check and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.

    Stop or escalate when

    • Public enters wrong gate
    • Allowing the next activity to hide incomplete checks or missing evidence
    • The current drawing, approval, competent reviewer or required evidence cannot be confirmed.

    Documents and records

    • TMP where required
    • Project H&S plan
    • Current RFI/site-instruction/change record
    • Inspection and evidence register
    Cost effect
    Rectification, reinspection, delay, damaged follow-on work, access loss and changed scope can increase the cost of site signage. Record the cause and obtain written pricing before approving a commercial change.
    Programme effect
    This activity controls the release of dependent work. Update the lookahead programme and notify affected trades if the hold point, information, inspection or evidence is not ready.

    Next action

    Close the site signage stage, link its evidence, resolve outstanding defects and release only the next applicable stage.

    Applicability: Apply when this work package is included in the current project scope. Confirm project-specific consent, contract, design, site and authority requirements.

    Use the current consented/issued project documents and competent site review. BuildPath does not approve work.

Trade-to-trade control

Interfaces and release gates

Use the actual consented design, specification and authorised reviewers. These controls help expose gaps; they do not approve work.

Release this stage to the next team

Prerequisites

  • Current consented/contract documents and scope are available
  • Preceding work, access, safety and materials are ready
  • Named people own open RFIs, defects, inspections and evidence

Interface checks

  • Work matches the current documents and actual site condition
  • Interfaces with the preceding and following trades have been walked
  • Cost, programme, change and evidence consequences are recorded
Hold point: Do not cover, load, connect, backfill or release dependent work until the required reviewer accepts the stage or records an authorised exception.

Evidence before release

  • Location and detail photographs
  • Dated checklist/inspection/RFI references
  • Daily report and linked action/defect records

Next team: The next applicable project team

Open the related Workspace control →

What happens in this stage

  • Place site contact, emergency, visitor, PPE, restricted access, delivery, hazard, and assembly information at entrances and work areas.
  • Check consent, corridor, environmental, or project-specific signs and notices before the relevant activity starts.
  • Remove obsolete signs and update contacts, hazards, access routes, and emergency information as the site changes.

Before work starts

  • Confirm the latest issued-for-construction and consented documents for site signage are on site, including Site establishment plan.
  • Check Project H&S plan, approved product data, RFIs, minor variations, and amendment status before work starts.
  • Confirm the subcontractor understands the scope, hold points, access, protection requirements, H&S controls, and quality evidence required.
  • Check the programme sequence so this stage does not start before earlier work, inspections, testing, or concealed-work photos are complete.
  • Confirm materials delivered to site match the specification, are dry/undamaged, and are stored according to manufacturer instructions.

During the work

  • Walk the work face early, mid-shift, and before close-up. Compare actual work with the consented drawings, specification, and manufacturer details.
  • Check set-out, levels, falls, clearances, penetrations, fixings, bracing, waterproofing, or protection points that will be difficult to see later.
  • Ask trades to show their own quality checks rather than only saying the work is complete.
  • Keep weather, site condition, delivery, delay, inspection, RFI, variation, and safety notes in the daily report.
  • Photograph any work before it is covered, backfilled, lined, clad, tiled, painted, or otherwise hidden.

After the work

  • Complete a close-out walk with the subcontractor and mark defects immediately while access is still available.
  • Confirm required inspection bookings, council results, producer statements, LBP Records of Work, warranties, test certificates, or installer declarations are obtained.
  • Update as-built notes where service routes, drainage, fixings, penetrations, or dimensions differ from the design.
  • Confirm the area is protected from weather, other trades, impact damage, contamination, or premature loading.
  • Update the lookahead programme and tell affected trades what is ready, what is blocked, and what must not be covered.

Common problems and step-by-step solutions

Site signage information is incomplete or conflicting
  1. 1Stop the affected site signage activity if continuing could hide defective work, create unsafe work, or move away from the consented design.
  2. 2Photograph the condition from wide, medium, and close-up angles. Include a tape, level, datum mark, gridline, or drawing reference where useful.
  3. 3Check the latest consented architectural, structural, civil, services, and specification documents before giving an instruction.
  4. 4Ask the subcontractor to explain the cause, proposed fix, timing impact, and whether the fix changes consented work.
  5. 5Escalate to the builder/project manager, designer, engineer, council inspector, or client when the fix affects structure, weathertightness, drainage, H1, fire/safety, cost, programme, or consent.
  6. 6Record the decision, responsible person, drawing/RFI/variation reference, photos, and follow-up inspection in the daily report.
Site signage is not ready when the programme requires it
  1. 1Stop the affected site signage activity if continuing could hide defective work, create unsafe work, or move away from the consented design.
  2. 2Photograph the condition from wide, medium, and close-up angles. Include a tape, level, datum mark, gridline, or drawing reference where useful.
  3. 3Check the latest consented architectural, structural, civil, services, and specification documents before giving an instruction.
  4. 4Ask the subcontractor to explain the cause, proposed fix, timing impact, and whether the fix changes consented work.
  5. 5Escalate to the builder/project manager, designer, engineer, council inspector, or client when the fix affects structure, weathertightness, drainage, H1, fire/safety, cost, programme, or consent.
  6. 6Record the decision, responsible person, drawing/RFI/variation reference, photos, and follow-up inspection in the daily report.
Site signage evidence or approval cannot be located
  1. 1Stop the affected site signage activity if continuing could hide defective work, create unsafe work, or move away from the consented design.
  2. 2Photograph the condition from wide, medium, and close-up angles. Include a tape, level, datum mark, gridline, or drawing reference where useful.
  3. 3Check the latest consented architectural, structural, civil, services, and specification documents before giving an instruction.
  4. 4Ask the subcontractor to explain the cause, proposed fix, timing impact, and whether the fix changes consented work.
  5. 5Escalate to the builder/project manager, designer, engineer, council inspector, or client when the fix affects structure, weathertightness, drainage, H1, fire/safety, cost, programme, or consent.
  6. 6Record the decision, responsible person, drawing/RFI/variation reference, photos, and follow-up inspection in the daily report.

Verification

Source / where to check

Use current official information and the controlled documents for the actual project.

Use WorkSafe NZ for construction health and safety duties, risk management, and practical guidance for residential construction work.

Consented drawings and specifications

The issued consent drawings, stamped specifications, engineering drawings, RFIs, minor variations, and amendments control the specific project.

Insufficient data to verify

Insufficient data to verify — confirm against the current consented drawings, specifications, Auckland Council requirements, Auckland Unitary Plan, NZ Building Code, relevant NZ Standard, consultant advice, manufacturer instructions, insurance broker, insurer, lender, lawyer, accountant or project contract.

Consented drawings and specifications

The issued consent drawings, stamped specifications, engineering drawings, RFIs, minor variations, and amendments control the specific project.

Manufacturer specification

Use the exact current installation manual, warranty requirements, BRANZ/Appraisal information where applicable, and product data sheet for the product on site.

Insufficient data to verify

Insufficient data to verify — confirm against the current consented drawings, specifications, Auckland Council requirements, Auckland Unitary Plan, NZ Building Code, relevant NZ Standard, consultant advice, manufacturer instructions, insurance broker, insurer, lender, lawyer, accountant or project contract.

Project-specific consented documents and professional advice override generic guidance.

Common inspections required

  • Site signage check
  • Emergency information review

Common risks

  • Wrong emergency information
  • Unreadable or hidden sign
  • Public enters wrong gate

Common mistakes

  • Starting site signage without confirming the current documents and responsibility
  • Relying on a verbal answer without recording the source, decision, owner, and due date
  • Allowing the next activity to hide incomplete checks or missing evidence

Required documentation

  • Latest consented drawings and specifications
  • Relevant RFIs, site instructions, amendments, minor variations, and variation approvals
  • Subcontractor scope, QA checklist, delivery dockets, product data, and installation records
  • Inspection booking/result records and photos before cover-up
  • Daily site report notes covering labour, weather, progress, delays, risks, and decisions

Photos or diagrams needed

  • Wide photo showing where site signage is happening on the site
  • Close-up photos of critical details, fixings, laps, seals, penetrations, clearances, levels, or falls
  • Photo of product labels, batch numbers, delivery dockets, and installer marks where relevant
  • Marked-up drawing or simple diagram showing any changed location, clash, defect, or agreed remedial detail

Construction manager checklist

  1. 1Scope, drawings, specification, product data, and latest revision confirmed
  2. 2Trade briefed on hold points, tolerances to verify, evidence required, and inspection sequence
  3. 3Access, storage, protection, temporary works, and safety controls in place
  4. 4Work checked against drawings during installation, not only at completion
  5. 5Photos and records captured before work is concealed
  6. 6Defects, RFIs, delays, and variations recorded with owner and due date
  7. 7Inspection/producer statement/warranty/Record of Work requirements tracked for CCC

Questions to ask the subcontractor

  • Which drawing, detail, or manufacturer instruction are you working from?
  • What needs to be checked before this is covered or handed to the next trade?
  • What could stop you today: weather, access, materials, information, inspections, or other trades?
  • Does anything on site differ from the drawings or specification?
  • What evidence will you provide for the quality file and CCC file?

Red flags to stop work

  • Work differs from consented drawings or specification and no approved variation/RFI exists
  • A structural, weathertightness, waterproofing, drainage, fire/safety, or H1 detail is unclear
  • The trade wants to cover work before inspection, testing, or photos are complete
  • Specified materials are missing, substituted, damaged, wet, expired, or installed outside manufacturer instructions
  • A safety control is missing for excavation, heights, plant movement, electrical work, asbestos, silica, or public protection

What to record in the daily report

  • Exact location and quantity of work completed
  • Trade headcount, company names, plant used, deliveries, and material batch/product details
  • Weather, site conditions, delays, instructions received, RFIs raised, and inspections booked/passed/failed
  • Photos taken before cover-up and any defects or non-conformances found
  • Next-day lookahead, blockers, and who is responsible for each action

Use this in my project

Turn site signage into controlled action

Open the relevant workspace register, create the project-specific record, link the controlling documents and preserve evidence. The guide does not automatically approve or verify the action.

Open workspace