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
Osha (occupational Safety and Health Administration) Recordable Incident
ComplianceA work-related injury or illness that meets specific criteria requiring formal logging under OSHA regulations, including cases involving days away from work, restricted duties, medical treatment beyond first aid, or loss of consciousness — a metric that directly affects a subcontractor's safety record and can impact their eligibility for future contracts with operators and prime contractors.
Excavation Safety Program
ComplianceA documented safety plan subcontractors must follow when performing any digging, trenching, or ground-breaking work on a job site. It outlines hazard assessments, soil classifications, protective systems, and entry protocols. Clients and prime contractors typically require proof of a compliant program before mobilisation.
MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration)
ComplianceA U.S. federal agency that regulates safety at mines and quarries. Subcontractors working on mine sites must comply with MSHA standards, separate from OSHA rules. Workers may require site-specific MSHA training before mobilising.
Contractor Certification
ComplianceFormal verification that a subcontractor meets a client's safety, technical, or insurance standards before being awarded work. Most major operators require active certification through third-party registries such as ISNetworld or Avetta. Lapsed certification can result in immediate removal from approved vendor lists.
NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission)
ComplianceA U.S. federal agency that regulates civilian nuclear facilities and materials. Subcontractors working near nuclear sites must meet strict NRC access and safety requirements. Non-compliance can result in immediate removal from site.
DOE (Department of Energy)
ComplianceA U.S. federal agency that regulates energy production, sets safety standards, and oversees projects involving nuclear, fossil fuel, and renewable energy. Subcontractors working on DOE-funded or DOE-regulated sites must meet strict compliance and security requirements. Contracts tied to DOE projects often include additional reporting obligations and certified personnel requirements.
Latest Compliance News
McElhattan Foundation Offering $1 Million Prizes to Eliminate Workplace Electrocutions
The McElhattan Foundation has extended deadlines for its Zero Electrocution Challenge, offering two $1 million grants for innovations that eliminate on-the-job electrical hazards. Registration closes Sept. 1, 2026.
11 hours ago ComplianceOSHA Sets August Hearings on 20+ Proposed Rule Rollbacks, Including Chemical and Fall Protection Standards
OSHA has scheduled virtual public hearings beginning August 19 on more than 20 proposed deregulatory rules, covering chemical exposure standards, respiratory protection, and fixed ladder safety systems. Subcontractors have until July 6 to register to testify.
2 days ago ComplianceTrench Safety Stand Down Set for June 15-19, Registration Now Open
The National Utility Contractors Association is hosting the Trench Safety Stand Down June 15-19, open to all employers doing trench and excavation work. Utility and pipeline subcontractors can register crews online now.
2 days ago ComplianceCSB Warns Chemical Facilities to Prep for Hurricane Season Now
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board is urging chemical facilities to complete hurricane preparations before a single storm can trigger a catastrophic release. Gulf Coast maintenance and turnaround subcontractors should expect heightened client scrutiny this season.
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.
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