A database where excavation-related damages to underground utilities are logged and analyzed. Subcontractors doing ground disturbance work may need to report incidents through this system. Insurance carriers and clients often review DIRT data when evaluating a contractor's safety record.
DIRT (Damage Information Reporting Tool)
Related Terms
State Injunction
ComplianceA court order from a provincial or state government that halts work on a project or site. Subcontractors must stop operations immediately or risk legal penalties. This can freeze contracts, delay payments, and strand mobilised crews and equipment.
Smart Work Zone
ComplianceA construction or industrial site equipped with sensors, cameras, and connected devices to monitor traffic, equipment, and worker movement in real time. Subcontractors operating in these zones must comply with data-sharing and equipment compatibility requirements set by the prime contractor. Non-compliance can result in site access delays or contract penalties.
Protective Trench System
ComplianceA shored or sloped excavation method used to protect workers from cave-ins during underground pipeline or utility work. Subcontractors are typically required to design and document the system before crews enter any trench deeper than 1.2 metres. Compliance with provincial safety codes is mandatory and directly affects site access approvals.
SIF (Serious Injuries and Fatalities)
ComplianceA safety classification used by operators to track incidents resulting in death or life-altering harm. Subcontractors are often scored on SIF exposure and near-miss rates during prequalification. A high SIF risk profile can disqualify your company from site access or contract awards.
Traffic Control Plan
ComplianceA site-specific document outlining how vehicle and pedestrian movement will be managed safely around a worksite. Subcontractors are often required to submit one before mobilising crews near roads or active facilities. It typically details signage, flagging requirements, and designated haul routes.
Industrial Carbon Pricing
ComplianceA federal and provincial regulatory system that charges large emitters for greenhouse gas output above set limits. Subcontractors may face pass-through costs on fuel, equipment, and site operations. Understanding these charges helps you anticipate cost increases when bidding on projects.
Latest Compliance News
CGA's 2025 DIRT Data Shows Record-High Utility Dig-In Damages
Common Ground Alliance's 2025 DIRT data shows buried utility damages hit a record high, with failure to call 811 remaining the top root cause.
1 month agoComplianceFederal OSHA Penalties Fell 47% in 2025. Here Is What Still Getting Workers Killed.
National COSH's 2026 Dirty Dozen list names the companies with the worst workplace safety records, released as federal enforcement hits a historic low. Here's what subcontractors need to know.
4 months agoComplianceTwo Traffic Plans, One Work Zone: Closing the Safety Gap Subcontractors Miss
Construction Executive breaks down why work zone fatalities persist even when signage and cones follow the rules, pointing to a disconnect between public traffic control plans and internal crew/equipment protocols.
20 hours agoComplianceNYC Voids 2,000 Safety Cards After Training Provider Fraud Indictment
New York City is invalidating roughly 2,000 construction safety credentials tied to RedCode Inc. after prosecutors indicted the company and two of its principals for allegedly selling training cards without conducting the required courses.
2 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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