Journal Entry

Saturday 30 May 2026

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Entry ID

2c8445af-1e2c-46f3-962c-3cb9782d4038

Daily Report (Agent 1)

weather

Not recorded

location

CH 6.200 to CH 7.400

entry date

2026-05-30

project id

9c85ac41-a317-4364-bae2-4f1167656cc4

hse summary

Daily pre-start completed. Toolbox conducted on excavating in rock zones — additional bunding and spotter requirements reinforced. No incidents reported.

qaqc summary

No formal source approval issued for rock material being placed at CH 7.200. NATA test request lodged for verification compaction testing on placed material — results expected within 48 hours. Potential NCR may be required if material fails to meet specification.

next day plan

Continue embankment construction and cut-to-fill operations. Await NATA compaction test results. Await written confirmation from Client Representative on rock material placement direction.

plant summary

breakdowns: None
idle plant: None
active plant:
  • CAT 374 excavator (9hrs)
  • CAT D6 dozer (8hrs)
  • Volvo A40G ADTs x2 (18hrs combined)
  • CAT 14M grader (7hrs)
  • CAT CS54 roller (8hrs)
  • Iveco water cart (8hrs)

report footer

This daily report is generated from site diary entry 2c8445af-1e2c-46f3-962c-3cb9782d4038. All times are site local time unless otherwise stated.

decisions made

Discussed specification conflict directly with Roger Rickerby before proceeding. Client Representative acknowledged spec requirement but directed continuation. Contractor reiterated requirement for written confirmation and reserved rights on cost/time impact if material fails testing and rework is required. Client Representative responded positively to request for formal documentation.

materials used

  • Cut rock material: 320m³ placed in embankment lift at CH 7.200

progress notes

Recovery planned through extended shifts Thursday/Friday. Delay attributed to rock encountered in cut at CH 6.500 (outside expected zones per geotechnical drawings) which slowed excavation rate.

progress status

Behind schedule (-1% vs baseline)

works performed

Embankment construction continuing. Cut-to-fill operation hauling material from CH 6.500 cut area direct to fill area at CH 7.200. Layer placement and compaction of embankment lift on western side. Earthworks progressed CH 6.200 to CH 7.400. Approximately 320m³ of cut rock material placed in embankment lift at CH 7.200.

issues and risks

  • Rock material placed without Technical Specification clause 8 compliance (source approval and testing)
  • Potential rework exposure if material fails subsequent testing
  • Rock encountered outside expected zones per geotechnical drawings
  • Spec conflict acknowledged by Client Representative but written confirmation pending

personnel summary

roles:
  • Supervisor (10hrs)
  • Leading Hand (10hrs)
  • Water Cart Operator (10hrs)
  • Roller Operators x2 (20hrs)
  • Grader Operator (10hrs)
  • ADT Operators x2 (20hrs)
  • Dozer Operator (10hrs)
  • Excavator Operator (10hrs)
total count: 10
total hours: 100

client instructions received

Yes — verbal instruction from Roger Rickerby (Superintendent, Example Principal Pty Ltd) at 0930hrs regarding use of cut rock material without source approval process.

Detected Events (11)

highqaqc

Material placement at CH 7.200 proceeding without formal source approval as required by specification. NATA verification compaction testing requested post-placement — results expected within 48hrs. Potential NCR if material fails to meet specification requirements.

Recommended Action

Quality alert: Document that non-conformance (if it arises) is result of client-directed departure from specification process, not contractor quality failure. If NCR is raised, ensure it references client instruction as root cause. Contractor should not accept quality non-conformance liability for client-directed specification variation. Recommend obtaining independent material testing and retaining samples for dispute resolution if required.

highqaqc

Material placed at CH 7.200 without formal source approval as required by Technical Specification clause 8. NATA verification compaction testing requested — results expected within 48 hours. Potential NCR if material fails specification requirements.

Recommended Action

Ensure NATA test results are expedited and reviewed immediately upon receipt. If material fails any specification parameter (grading, plasticity, durability, moisture, compaction), immediately notify Client Representative and stop further placement of untested material. Prepare NCR documentation if required (noting Client to issue NCR per site diary). Document full chain of events: Client verbal instruction → material placement → testing → results → remedial action if required. Link to VIRF. Escalate to PM and QA Manager.

highcommercial

Contractor proceeding with non-compliant works under Client verbal direction, creating contractual risk exposure. Client Representative acknowledged specification conflict but has not yet provided written confirmation despite commitment to 'send me something'. Potential rework liability, testing costs, and time impact unresolved.

Recommended Action

PM to immediately follow up written confirmation from Roger Rickerby/Example Principal Pty Ltd. Do not place additional untested rock material until written instruction received or source approval process completed. Quantify potential rework cost exposure (320m³ removal and replacement if material fails). Prepare variation cost estimate for additional testing regime. Document that Contractor compliance with verbal direction was conditional on written confirmation and reservation of rights. Consider stopping further non-compliant placement until commercial position is secured.

highvirfVIRF

Verbal instruction from Roger Rickerby (Superintendent, Example Principal Pty Ltd) at 0930hrs on 30/05/2026 directing contractor to place cut rock material from CH 6.500 directly into embankment fill at CH 7.200 without source approval and testing process required by Technical Specification clause 8 (Pavement Materials and Construction). Client stated "we need to keep production up" and would "sort the paperwork later." Approximately 320m³ of unclassified, untested rock material placed under this direction.

Recommended Action

Issue VIRF immediately documenting this instruction. Material has not been tested for grading, plasticity, durability, moisture content, or compaction suitability as required by specification. High rework risk if material fails subsequent testing. Client must provide written confirmation and accept cost/time liability for any rework, testing delays, or non-conformance rectification. Recommend ceasing placement of additional untested material until written direction received.

highscopeVIRF

Client directed placement of untested rock material into embankment without following contractually specified source approval and testing process per Technical Specification clause 8. This represents a departure from contract requirements and creates potential rework exposure if material fails subsequent testing.

Recommended Action

Flag as out-of-scope variation. Document that contractor is proceeding under express client direction only, not as acceptance of varied specification compliance procedure. If material fails testing and rework is required, this is client-directed variation entitling contractor to EOT and cost recovery. PM to review exposure and ensure written direction obtained before additional untested material is placed.

highcommercialVIRF

Approximately 320m³ of rock material placed in embankment without required source approval, material classification, or specification testing (grading, plasticity, durability, moisture, compaction suitability). NATA verification testing lodged post-placement — results pending 48hrs. High risk of non-conformance and potential rework requirement.

Recommended Action

Commercial alert: Quantify potential rework cost and schedule impact if placed material fails specification testing. Prepare variation claim documentation covering: (1) cost of removing non-conforming material, (2) cost of replacement with approved material, (3) re-compaction and re-testing costs, (4) EOT for rework duration, (5) disruption and demobilisation/remobilisation costs. Ensure all costs and time impacts are attributed to client direction, not contractor non-compliance. Do not proceed with additional untested material placement without written client acceptance of liability.

highvirfVIRF

Verbal instruction from Roger Rickerby (Superintendent, Example Principal Pty Ltd) at 0930hrs on 2026-05-30 directing incorporation of cut rock material from CH 6.500 directly into embankment lift at CH 7.200 without source approval and testing process required under Technical Specification clause 8 (Pavement Materials and Construction). Client Representative stated need to 'keep production up' and would 'sort the paperwork later'. Material has not been classified or tested for grading, plasticity, durability, moisture, or compaction suitability. Contractor advised of spec conflict and potential rework exposure, proceeding under Client direction with written confirmation requested.

Recommended Action

Generate formal VIRF immediately. Document verbal instruction with all details including time, person, specification clause bypassed, material quantities (320m³), and Client Representative's acknowledgment of spec conflict. Attach to NATA test results when received. Escalate to PM for commercial review — potential variation for additional testing, rework if material fails, and time impact. Reserve rights for cost/time associated with compliance and any remedial works.

mediumschedule

Project currently 1% behind baseline programme due to rock encountered in cut at CH 6.500 slowing excavation rate. Recovery plan in place via extended shifts Thursday/Friday, but additional risk exists if placed rock material fails testing and rework is required.

Recommended Action

Monitor recovery plan execution closely. If NATA test results (due within 48hrs) indicate material failure, immediately reassess programme impact including rework duration. Update programme recovery scenario planning to account for potential remedial works. Notify Client Representative if recovery plan is jeopardised by test failure. Consider EOT notification if rework is directed and impacts critical path.

mediumcommercial

Rock encountered in cut at CH 6.500 outside expected zones per geotechnical drawings. Slowed excavation rate causing -1% schedule variance. Superintendent's diary notes this is outside design assumptions.

Recommended Action

Document differing site conditions. If geotechnical drawings did not show rock in this location, this may constitute a latent condition entitling contractor to EOT and cost recovery for additional rock excavation effort. Request PM to review geotechnical report and drawings to confirm whether rock was foreseeable. Quantify additional excavation costs and program impact. Recovery plan through extended shifts may mitigate schedule impact but additional costs remain recoverable if this is a variation event.

mediumschedule

Project running -1% behind baseline schedule due to unexpected rock in cut at CH 6.500. Recovery planned through extended shifts Thursday/Friday.

Recommended Action

Monitor recovery plan execution. If extended shifts are required to recover client-caused delay (unexpected rock outside geotech drawings), additional shift costs and overtime premiums should be claimed as variation. Document that recovery effort is contractor mitigation of client-caused delay, not acceptance of liability for delay.

mediumscope

Rock encountered in cut at CH 6.500 outside expected zones per geotechnical drawings. Material characteristics differ from contract documents, requiring placement methodology variation and potentially impacting programme recovery.

Recommended Action

Document variance between actual ground conditions and geotechnical drawings. Cross-reference with contract soil/rock profiles and anticipated material schedules. Assess impact on programme recovery plan (currently -1% behind baseline). If rock volumes exceed contract assumptions, prepare variation claim for changed ground conditions. Monitor ongoing excavation and quantities.

Commercial Letter Draft

VIRFRE: [Project Name] — VIRF: Verbal Instruction for Material Placement Without Source Approval

Dear Sir/Madam, I refer to verbal instructions issued by Mr Roger Rickerby, Superintendent for Example Principal Pty Ltd, at 0930 hours on 30 May 2026. Mr Rickerby directed the Contractor to incorporate cut rock material from CH 6.500 directly into embankment fill at CH 7.200 without following the source approval and testing process required under Technical Specification clause 8 (Pavement Materials and Construction). The Client Representative stated the need to "keep production up" and advised he would "sort the paperwork later." The Contractor advised Mr Rickerby of the specification conflict and potential rework exposure prior to proceeding. Approximately 320m³ of unclassified and untested rock material has been placed in the embankment lift under this direction. The material has not been tested for grading, plasticity, durability, moisture content, or compaction suitability as required by specification. NATA verification testing has been requested and results are expected within 48 hours. Should the material fail to meet specification requirements, rework may be necessary including removal and replacement with approved material. The Contractor notes that rock was encountered at CH 6.500 outside the zones indicated in the geotechnical drawings, which has contributed to the current 1% schedule variance. Recovery is planned through extended shifts on Thursday and Friday. The Contractor reserves the right to claim additional cost and time associated with: - Additional testing requirements - Potential rework if material fails specification - Schedule impact and recovery measures - Any remedial works required Written confirmation of this instruction is requested as committed by Mr Rickerby. This record is made to document verbal instructions given by the Client Representative. The Contractor reserves the right to claim additional cost and/or time associated with compliance with this instruction. Yours faithfully, [Contractor Representative]

VIRF-004 created — View on Variations page

From the Field — Operator Entries

Submitted by operators for Saturday 30 May 2026 via Timekeeper.

No operator entries for this date yet.

Hours submitted from the field will appear here automatically.

Captured in Timekeeper by the operator on site. Approve to sign the hours off; amend to correct them — the operator's original submission is always kept alongside. Releasing locks a timesheet and feeds the pay-period summaries. Operators are managed in Timekeeper.

Progress vs Program

Behind

Earthworks progressed at CH 6.200 to CH 7.400. Embankment lift placement on the western side. -1% behind baseline due to rock encountered in cut at CH 6.500 yesterday. Recovery planned through extended shifts Thursday/Friday.

Cause of Any Delay

Reason
Scope issue
Detail
Rock encountered in cut yesterday outside expected zones per geotechnical drawings. Slowed excavation rate but no major impact yet. Continuing to monitor.

Resources

All resources available?
Yes

Personnel on Site

NameRoleHours
Wayne CorriganSupervisor10
Danny LoxtonLeading Hand10
Nathan BrailsfordWater Cart Op10
Brett HalvorsenRoller Op10
Sam IoaneRoller Op10
Trevor NakadaGrader Op10
Josh RennickADT Op10
Pete VaeauADT Op10
Marty KellawayDozer Op10
Dean FairbrotherExcavator Op10

Plant on Site

ItemActive hIdle hBrkdn
CAT 374 excavator 9N
CAT D6 dozer 8N
Volvo A40G ADTs - Moxy09N
Volvo A40G ADTs - Moxy9N
CAT 14M grader 7N
CAT CS54 roller 8N
Iveco water cart 8N
N

Works Performed

Location / Chainage
CH 6.200 to CH 7.400
Works
Embankment construction . Cut-to-fill operation hauling material from CH 6.500 cut area direct to fill area at CH 7.200. Layer placement and compaction.

Out-of-Scope Works

Yes
Directed by
John Smith
Detail
i think, not sure. uperintendent directed use of cut rock material directly into embankment fill without going through source approval and testing process per Technical Specification clause 8. Crew complied with direction on the basis that this would be formally confirmed in writing.

Client Instructions

Yes
Given by
John Smith
Instruction
Verbal instruction from Roger Rickerby (Superintendent, Example Principal Pty Ltd) at 0930 — directed us to incorporate the rock material being cut from CH 6.500 directly into the embankment lift at CH 7.200 without going through the source approval and testing process specified in Technical Specification clause 8 (Pavement Materials and Construction). Roger stated "we need to keep production up" and that he would "sort the paperwork later." Material has not been classified, tested for grading, plasticity, durability, moisture, or compaction suitability. Crew advised Roger that we would proceed under his direction but require written confirmation given the spec conflict and potential rework exposure if material later fails testing.

QAQC

No formal source approval issued for the rock material being placed at CH 7.200. NATA test request lodged for verification compaction testing on placed material — results expected within 48hrs. NCR may be required if material fails to meet spec. Client will need to isssue NCR Not us.

HSE

Yes
Incident type
other
Description
Daily pre-start completed. Toolbox on excavating in rock zones — additional bunding and spotter requirements reinforced. No incidents.

Materials

MaterialQtyUnitType
Cut rock material — approximately 320m³ placed in embankment lift at CH 7.200 today under Roger's direction without source approval certification.0320m3used

Decisions & Discussions

Discussed the spec conflict directly with Roger before proceeding. Roger acknowledged the spec requirement but directed us to continue. Reiterated that we will be requiring written confirmation and reserving rights on cost/time impact if material fails testing and rework is required. Roger said "fine, send me something.

Created 30/05/2026, 5:04:01 am