The approval of digital safety records by the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) marks a major milestone for the construction industry. For years, outdated paper processes have made safety compliance an administrative burden. But with the latest DOB guidance issued in December 2024, construction contractors across NYC can finally go paperless — provided their digital system meets the city’s regulatory standards.
This update isn’t just a procedural change. It’s a long-overdue green light for digital adoption on site, and a huge win for contractors looking to improve compliance, eliminate paperwork, and reduce admin bottlenecks. At Boxcore, we’ve spent years developing the exact kind of solution now approved by the DOB: software that’s simple, compliant, and fast to implement — designed specifically for site crews, not just back-office staff.
Whether you’re a general contractor managing multiple sites or a subcontractor overseeing teams of trades, this regulatory change presents a unique opportunity to improve how safety and workforce records are handled. Here’s what it means, and how Boxcore ensures you can stay compliant — without the hassle.
What Changed: NYC DOB Now Accepts Digital Safety Records
Until recently, DOB regulations required that many essential records — including site safety logs, orientation records, incident reports, and worker training documents — be maintained in physical formats. This meant binders, clipboards, and manual logs scattered across job trailers.
As of December 2024, those rules have changed. Contractors are now permitted to maintain these records digitally, provided the platform they use:
- Stores records securely
- Offers accessible formats for DOB inspectors
- Maintains accurate timestamps
- Supports visibility and audit readiness
This update paves the way for widespread digitisation of safety processes — and removes one of the biggest barriers that’s held contractors back.
You can read our dedicated article on Local Law 196 and Boxcore’s role in DOB compliance here.
Why It Matters to Contractors in NYC
Managing safety compliance manually across large, fast-moving projects wastes time and introduces risk. Paper records get misplaced, audits become stress-inducing, and inspectors face delays accessing the right documents.
Digital compliance software eliminates these issues — but not all platforms are created equal. The key challenge isn’t just functionality. It’s usability.
Site teams, not just safety managers, need to use the software daily. That’s where most systems fall short. Boxcore is different. Our platform was built specifically for field teams and designed to be usable with minimal training, even in low-connectivity environments.
We know construction doesn’t happen behind a desk — it happens on the ground, where speed and simplicity matter.
How Boxcore Helps NYC Contractors Stay Compliant
Boxcore is a full-featured digital platform for construction safety and workforce management. It brings together everything the DOB now allows to be recorded digitally — and more — in one secure, mobile-ready system.
1. Fully Digital Safety Records
From daily logs to incident reports, site orientations and toolbox talks — everything can be created, completed, stored, and reviewed inside Boxcore. No paperwork. No duplication.
Our core product features include:
- Real-time worker sign-ins with facial recognition
- Instant access to safety inductions and training documentation
- Upload, review, and approval of safety documents
2. Inspector-Ready Document Access
With Boxcore, authorised users can be granted read-only access to specific records or dashboards. You no longer need to scramble to print paperwork or collate folders for site visits.
Everything is version-controlled and time-stamped, so there’s full transparency with minimal effort.
Explore more about how we reimagine access control for compliance and security.
3. Built for Site Teams, Not Just Admins
Padraig Reilly, CEO and founder of Boxcore, explains it best:
“We designed Boxcore for the boots on the ground — so whether you’re onboarding 5 workers or 500, it’s intuitive, fast, and scalable.”
Features like digital worker onboarding, document capture, and GA2/GA3 inspections are available in seconds via mobile. You don’t need a desktop, and you don’t need weeks of training.
Our solution is used on over 1,100 projects and has helped manage more than 40,000 worker profiles — with adoption led by site teams themselvesBOXCORE 12525 (003).
What Does Compliance Look Like in Practice?
When contractors switch to Boxcore, they gain:
- Instant visibility across all safety records and team statuses
- Accurate, real-time attendance data for audits or insurance claims
- Fewer delays during DOB inspections
- Confidence that nothing expires unnoticed — from worker certs to RAMS
- Complete removal of spreadsheets and manual uploads
As one NYC-based general contractor put it:
“We used to spend hours preparing folders before inspections. Now, we just send a link.”
You can find out more about the practical wins in our article on simplifying safety documentation in New York.
Rapid Onboarding and Support for Your Team
One of the main reasons why contractors delay digital adoption is the fear that it’ll take weeks to roll out.
Not with Boxcore.
- Setup completed in under 48 hours
- Free migration of existing training records
- Minimal training needed — subcontractors and staff can be onboarded in minutes
- Ongoing support from our US-based team in NYC
“We make it easy from day one,” says Padraig. “Construction crews don’t have time for long onboarding processes, so we built Boxcore to be picked up and used instantly — even in high-pressure environments.”
Digital Record Keeping Is Now a Necessity — Not a ‘Nice to Have’
The DOB’s approval of digital records isn’t just a policy update. It’s the new baseline for safety and workforce compliance in New York construction.
Contractors who fail to adapt will find themselves at a disadvantage — in inspections, productivity, and project delivery.
Now is the time to upgrade your systems. Now is the time to digitise your safety records.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you’re running a local crew or managing multiple Tier One projects, Boxcore gives you the tools to go digital with confidence. No paper, no confusion — just a simple platform that works for everyone on site.
Book a free demo today to see how Boxcore can help you:
- Go fully digital with your DOB-compliant safety records
- Save admin time and reduce risk
- Give your site teams tools they’ll actually use
Or explore more on our solutions for general contractors and subcontractors.
