A U.S. federal law requiring subcontractors on government-funded construction projects to pay workers the locally established minimum wage and benefits. Rates vary by trade, location, and job classification. Subcontractors must track and document compliance carefully or risk contract penalties.
Davis-Bacon Prevailing Wage
Related Terms
Zero-Tolerance (drug and Alcohol Policy)
ComplianceA site policy that prohibits any detectable level of drugs or alcohol in workers. Subcontractors must ensure all personnel pass pre-access and random testing. Violations typically result in immediate removal from site and contract penalties.
Export Authorization
ComplianceA government-issued permit allowing equipment, technology, or services to be delivered across international borders. Subcontractors must secure this before mobilising tools or personnel to foreign project sites. Missing authorisation can halt operations and trigger costly delays.
PIT (Powered Industrial Truck)
ComplianceAny motorised vehicle used to move materials on a worksite, including forklifts, reach trucks, and pallet jacks. Subcontractors operating PITs must ensure operators hold valid, site-accepted certifications. Non-compliance can trigger work stoppages or removal from site.
Energy Control Program
ComplianceA documented system requiring subcontractors to isolate and de-energise equipment before maintenance or service work begins. It defines lockout/tagout procedures, worker responsibilities, and verification steps. Prime contractors often audit subcontractor programs before awarding site access.
OSHRC (Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission)
ComplianceA U.S. federal body that adjudicates disputes when employers contest OSHA citations or penalties. Subcontractors cited for worksite violations can appeal rulings here before escalating to federal courts. Decisions set legal precedents that directly affect safety compliance obligations on job sites.
Classification (aggregate)
ComplianceA method of grouping all subcontractor invoices or costs together to assess total contract value or spending thresholds. Owners and primes use aggregate classification to trigger compliance requirements, audit rights, or tiered pricing terms. Subcontractors should track cumulative billing carefully, as crossing thresholds can change contract obligations.
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
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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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