A 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.
Davis-Bacon Act
Related Terms
OFCCP (Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs)
ComplianceA U.S. federal agency enforcing equal employment rules for companies working on federal contracts. Subcontractors on U.S. federal projects must meet hiring and anti-discrimination requirements. Non-compliance can result in contract termination or debarment from future federal work.
API (American Petroleum Institute)
ComplianceThe leading industry organisation that develops technical standards, safety protocols, and equipment specifications that subcontractors must follow when working on oil and gas projects. API certifications and compliance with API standards are often mandatory requirements in service contracts and can affect your ability to bid on projects.
Struck-By Hazard
ComplianceA struck-by hazard refers to any situation on a worksite where personnel risk injury from a moving object, such as swinging loads, dropped tools, vehicles, or pressurised line failures — a leading cause of fatality that subcontractors must identify and control in their site-specific hazard assessments and toolbox talks. For field service crews working around heavy equipment, cranes, or high-traffic laydown yards, recognising and mitigating struck-by risks is a core compliance obligation under provincial occupational health and safety legislation.
Walking-Working Surfaces Standard
ComplianceA regulatory standard governing slip, trip, and fall hazards on job sites. Subcontractors must ensure floors, platforms, ladders, and elevated surfaces meet inspection and guarding requirements. Non-compliance can result in stop-work orders or liability exposure on client sites.
Well Barrier
ComplianceA physical or mechanical system that prevents uncontrolled flow of fluids from a wellbore. Subcontractors working on or near wells must verify barriers are in place before starting work. Barrier failures can trigger stop-work obligations and regulatory reporting requirements.
OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control)
ComplianceA U.S. Treasury agency that enforces sanctions against designated countries, companies, and individuals. Subcontractors must screen clients and vendors against OFAC lists before accepting contracts or payments. Working with a sanctioned party can result in severe fines and contract termination.
Latest Compliance News
OSHA Updates VPP Manual with Seven Core Elements, New Program Tiers Effective June 2026
OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs Policies and Procedures Manual took effect June 16, 2026, introducing a seven core element framework and new VPP Elite and VPP Emeritus certification levels. VPP-certified contractors and field service companies need to review the changes now.
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Utility contractors are losing time and adding risk because traffic control execution varies crew to crew. Here's why the industry needs to rethink traffic control as an operations discipline, not a paperwork requirement.
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A worker died Monday after falling into a construction hole in Brampton, Ontario, prompting a Ministry of Labour investigation and renewed scrutiny of excavation guarding on job sites.
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A 27-year-old laborer died after falling through an undersized temporary guardrail on an apartment complex balcony. A Washington State FACE report details the installation failures that led to the fatality.
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