The prime contractor or site owner who directs work conditions and sets safety rules on a multi-employer worksite. As a subcontractor, you may still be cited for hazards even if the controlling employer created them. Knowing who holds this role determines your compliance obligations on any jobsite.
Controlling Employer
Related Terms
Scope 1 and Scope 2 Emissions
ComplianceScope 1 covers direct emissions from equipment and vehicles your company owns or operates, such as diesel generators and fleet trucks. Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from purchased electricity used at your facilities or job sites. Prime contractors increasingly require subcontractors to track and report both when bidding on ESG-conscious projects.
Loading Away From the Face
ComplianceA blasting technique where explosives are loaded starting from the back of the borehole toward the opening. This reduces the risk of premature detonation during charging operations. Subcontractors must follow site-specific protocols, as improper loading sequences can trigger serious safety violations.
Safety-Sensitive
ComplianceA designation for positions where impairment could directly cause injury, death, or environmental harm. Common examples include equipment operators, riggers, and drivers. Workers in these roles are typically subject to mandatory drug and alcohol testing under client and regulatory requirements.
FFR (Filtering Facepiece Respirator)
ComplianceA disposable respiratory protective device that filters airborne particles, dust, and contaminants. Commonly required on oil and gas sites and construction worksites under occupational health regulations. Subcontractors must ensure crew members wear the correct FFR rating for each task and hazard level.
Pressure-Retaining Component
ComplianceAny part that contains or holds pressurised fluid, such as a valve, fitting, or vessel wall. Subcontractors handling these parts must meet strict inspection and certification requirements. Improper installation or repair can trigger liability, stop-work orders, or regulatory penalties.
Egress
ComplianceAny designated exit route workers use to safely leave a worksite, confined space, or structure in an emergency. Subcontractors must identify and keep egress pathways clear before work begins. Site access plans and emergency response procedures must document egress routes.
Latest Compliance News
Confined Space Rescue Plans Have Critical Gaps, Industry Experts Warn
Safety+Health Magazine identifies the most commonly overlooked factors in confined space rescue planning, from over-reliance on local emergency services to skipping non-entry rescue methods and regular drills.
11 hours ago ComplianceJuly Is the Deadliest Month for Heat on Jobsites. Here's What Field Employers Need to Know
Safety+Health Magazine highlights July as the hottest month of the year in the US and points to ongoing federal and state OSHA activity around heat protection for workers. Field employers should review their heat safety programs now.
11 hours ago ComplianceOntario Roofing Contractor Fined $100K After Worker Falls 22 Feet From Roof
Moffat Bros. Roofing Ltd. of Cobourg, Ontario was fined $100,000 after a worker suffered critical injuries in a 2023 fall, highlighting the long-term liability risk facing roofing subcontractors.
11 hours ago ComplianceNearly 3 in 4 Power-Line Injuries Hit Non-Electrical Workers, Data Shows
WorkSafeBC data spanning a decade reveals that 74% of power-line injury claims involve workers outside electrical trades, a finding with direct implications for mixed-trade construction sites across North America.
3 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.
Stay sharp on field operations
Industry news and insights, delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe to FieldNews