North American one-call notification service subcontractors must contact before excavation to have underground utilities located and marked. Skipping this step can cause utility strikes, project shutdowns, and personal liability for damages. Most jurisdictions require proof of notification before digging permits are issued.
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Related Terms
Local Content
ComplianceA requirement that a set percentage of workers, materials, or services come from the local region or country. Subcontractors must often prove local hiring and sourcing to help clients meet these obligations. Non-compliance can disqualify your bid or void a contract.
Davis-Bacon Act
ComplianceA U.S. federal law requiring subcontractors on government-funded construction projects to pay workers prevailing local wages. Rates are set by the Department of Labour and vary by trade and region. Non-compliance can result in contract termination and debarment from future federal work.
PAPR (Powered Air-purifying Respirator)
ComplianceA battery-powered respirator that uses a blower to push contaminated air through filters before the worker breathes it. Subcontractors working in refineries, confined spaces, or around hazardous chemicals are often required to supply their own PAPR units. Fit-testing and training records must be maintained to meet occupational health regulations on site.
Hazard Recognition
ComplianceThe ability to identify workplace dangers before work begins or conditions change. Subcontractors are often held responsible for recognising hazards on client-controlled worksites. Failure to document recognised hazards can create serious liability exposure.
Written Work Plan
ComplianceA document submitted by a subcontractor outlining how a specific scope of work will be executed safely and efficiently. It typically covers methods, equipment, personnel, and hazard controls. Clients often require it before mobilisation or permit approval.
Third-Party Representative
ComplianceAn independent inspector or agent hired by an operator or owner to verify that field work meets contract specifications. They are not your direct client but hold authority to approve, reject, or halt work on site. As a subcontractor, their sign-off is often required before progress billing is accepted.
Latest Compliance News
IRS Waives Penalties for Red-Dyed Diesel on Highways Through Dec. 31
The IRS will not penalize highway use of dyed diesel from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2026. Contractors running off-road fuel in trucks should still check state rules and document fuel purchases.
20 hours agoComplianceSpecialty Trades Cut Injury Rates 32.4% Since 2011-12, CPWR Finds
CPWR's June 2026 data bulletin shows nonfatal injury rates fell 46.9% in heavy and civil, 32.4% in specialty trades and 32.2% in building construction. Safety leads should benchmark against the specialty-trades figure before their next renewal.
20 hours agoComplianceOSHA Targets November Proposal to Revisit Computer-Based LOTO Controls
OSHA lists a lockout/tagout update (RIN 1218-AD00) with a November 2026 target for a proposed rule on computer-based controls. The current 29 CFR 1910.147 requirements still apply.
yesterdayComplianceOSHA Proposes $648K Against Six Contractors at Monroe, NY Excavation
OSHA cited a general contractor and five subcontractors at the Monroe Commons site for willful and serious excavation violations. The proposed penalties total $648,094.
6 days agoRelated Guides
When a Jobsite Incident Happens: What Field Workers Need to Know Before Signing Anything
What to do after a jobsite injury or incident, what your rights are before signing incident reports, how workers' compensation works, and how to protect yourself on multi-employer worksites.
Compliance GuideOSHA Citations on Multi-Employer Worksites: What Subcontractors Need to Know
Learn how OSHA's multi-employer citation policy works, why subcontractors get cited for hazards they didn't create, and how to protect your company on operator-controlled job sites.
Compliance GuideHow to Read and Negotiate an Oilfield Master Service Agreement (MSA): A Subcontractor's Guide
Learn which MSA clauses actually matter for oilfield subcontractors: indemnity, insurance, payment terms, and change orders. Know what you're signing.
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