A U.S. federal law allowing the government to prioritise contracts and redirect materials to national security needs. Subcontractors may face supply chain delays or material shortages when it is invoked. Equipment and parts sourcing timelines can shift significantly with little notice.
Defense Production Act
Related Terms
Pinch Point
ComplianceA location where a worker's body part can be caught between moving and stationary objects. Common on heavy equipment, rigging, and rotating machinery at oil and gas and construction sites. Subcontractors must identify and guard pinch points during site hazard assessments.
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.
360-Degree Site Documentation
ComplianceA site capture method using panoramic cameras to record full visual records of a worksite. Subcontractors use it to document pre-existing conditions before mobilising. It protects against liability disputes over damage or incomplete scopes.
Surety
ComplianceA third party, usually an insurance or bonding company, that guarantees a subcontractor will fulfil their contractual obligations. If the subcontractor defaults, the surety compensates the project owner. Many upstream and construction clients require surety bonds before awarding work.
Surface Use Plan
ComplianceA document outlining how land above a wellsite or pipeline corridor can be accessed and used during operations. Subcontractors must follow it to avoid disturbing restricted areas or triggering landowner disputes. Non-compliance can result in work stoppages or liability on your crew.
FEMI (Fixed Equipment Mechanical Integrity)
ComplianceA systematic programme ensuring stationary assets like pressure vessels, piping, and heat exchangers remain safe and fit for service. Subcontractors often deliver FEMI work through inspection, NDT, and repair scopes under an owner's integrity management plan. Expect strict documentation requirements and third-party sign-off before returning equipment to service.
Latest Compliance News
A 12-Step FEMI Incident Investigation Framework Every Pressure Equipment Operator Should Know
Inspectioneering Journal outlines a structured 12-step process for investigating fixed equipment mechanical integrity incidents, from near-misses to major releases, giving field operators a repeatable framework for learning and liability protection.
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A coalition of more than 40 organizations is urging California to halt rulemaking on worker walkaround representation, arguing the proposed rule exceeds Cal/OSHA's authority and threatens employer property rights.
20 hours ago ComplianceOSHA Lockout/Tagout Rules: What Field Crews Must Know
OSHA's lockout/tagout standard requires employers to control hazardous energy during equipment maintenance. Here's a practical breakdown of the key requirements for field service teams.
20 hours ago ComplianceSafety Certification Patchwork Costs Cross-Provincial Contractors Up to $100K Annually, MCAC Survey Finds
A new national survey from the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada reveals that non-harmonized provincial safety certifications are hitting multi-jurisdictional contractors with significant costs, administrative burden, and project delays — with no measurable safety benefit.
20 hours agoRelated Guides
OSHA 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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