A construction site diary is a daily written record of everything that happens on a construction site. It documents weather conditions, workers present, materials delivered, work completed, visitors, incidents, delays, and any other significant events. Site diaries are a legal requirement under CDM 2015 and serve as the primary evidence in disputes, claims, and HSE investigations.
In construction disputes, the site diary is often the most important document. Adjudicators, mediators, and courts rely heavily on contemporaneous records. A well-maintained site diary can be the difference between winning and losing a claim worth thousands of pounds.
Under CDM 2015, principal contractors must maintain adequate records of site activities. The Health and Safety File must include relevant records that inform future maintenance and work on the structure. Site diaries contribute directly to this requirement.
Paper site diaries have significant limitations: they can be lost, damaged, or incomplete. Handwriting may be illegible months later. Photos are stored separately and disconnected from entries. There is no backup if the diary is lost.
Digital site diaries like FORGE Command solve these problems: auto-timestamped entries, attached photos, searchable history, offline capability, and automatic backup. Every entry is permanently recorded and instantly accessible.