The U.S. federal agency that enforces wage, hour, and worker classification laws affecting subcontractors. It oversees rules on overtime pay, prevailing wages, and employee vs. contractor status. Non-compliance can trigger audits, back-pay orders, and significant penalties.
DOL (Department of Labour)
Related Terms
Heat Nep (heat National Emphasis Program)
ComplianceA targeted OSHA enforcement initiative directing inspectors to prioritise heat illness inspections at outdoor and indoor worksites. Subcontractors in oil & gas and construction face heightened scrutiny of heat safety plans, water access, and worker training. Non-compliance can trigger citations, fines, and work stoppages.
Near-Miss Reporting
ComplianceThe formal process of documenting incidents where no injury or damage occurred, but easily could have. Subcontractors are typically required to report near-misses to the prime contractor or site owner within a set timeframe. Failure to report can result in contract penalties or disqualification from future work.
DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise)
ComplianceA certification recognising businesses owned by minorities, women, or economically disadvantaged individuals. Prime contractors on federally funded projects often must subcontract a percentage of work to certified DBEs. Holding DBE status can open doors to set-aside contracts and preferred bidder programmes.
Api 580 (american Petroleum Institute Standard 580)
ComplianceA risk-based inspection standard used on oil and gas facilities to prioritise equipment checks by failure likelihood and consequence. Subcontractors may need to align their inspection scopes and documentation to meet API 580 requirements on client sites.
Stop-Before-Strike
ComplianceA mandatory work pause requiring crews to verify no buried utilities or underground hazards exist before digging or drilling begins. Subcontractors are typically contractually responsible for completing all locates and documented checks before breaking ground. Failure to comply can void insurance coverage and expose your company to full liability for strikes.
CPWR (Centre for Construction Research and Training)
ComplianceA U.S.-based non-profit that develops safety research, training materials, and hazard guides used widely across North American job sites. Subcontractors often reference CPWR toolbox talks and fall protection resources to meet compliance requirements. Their free publications can support your crew orientations and site safety plans.
Latest Compliance News
DOE, DOL Sign Five-Year Deal to Push AI and Automation Into Mining
The Department of Energy and Department of Labor signed a five-year MOU on July 21, 2026, to speed AI, automation, and sensor deployment in mining while strengthening safety oversight through MSHA.
23 days agoCash FlowDOL's $162M Apprenticeship Fund Ties Payouts to Worker Retention, Not Enrollment
The Department of Labor's $162 million Pay-for-Performance apprenticeship program pays contractors only after apprentices hit retention milestones, with sponsor applications opening this fall in shipbuilding, telecom, and skilled trades sectors.
1 month agoIndustryNuclear Enrichment Firms Plan Multibillion-Dollar Expansions in Ohio, New Mexico
Centrus Energy and Urenco USA are scaling up domestic enriched uranium production with expansions in Ohio and New Mexico, creating new EPC and construction subcontract opportunities, ENR reports.
1 month agoIndustryUrenco USA Plans Multibillion-Dollar Expansion of Sole US Uranium Enrichment Site
Urenco USA is targeting a 2027 construction start on a privately funded expansion of its Eunice, N.M., enrichment complex, adding 24 gas centrifuge cascades and boosting capacity 50%, with Bechtel handling front-end engineering.
1 month 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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