Eminent Domain

A 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.

A steel or aluminium shoring system placed inside an excavation to prevent wall collapse and protect workers. Required by safety regulations on most open-cut pipeline and utility jobs. Subcontractors are typically responsible for supplying, installing, and inspecting trench boxes on their scope of work.

Mandatory safeguards required when workers enter excavations deeper than 1.2 metres. Methods include sloping, shoring, or trench boxes to prevent soil collapse. Subcontractors must have a competent supervisor on-site to assess and implement the correct system.

A government-required weekly payroll report proving workers were paid prevailing wages on publicly funded projects. Subcontractors must submit it to the prime contractor or project owner. Errors or late submissions can delay payment or trigger contract penalties.

An accidental hit on a buried utility line — gas, electrical, or telecom — during excavation or drilling. Subcontractors face immediate work stoppages, liability exposure, and potential regulatory penalties. Always confirm locate tickets are current before ground disturbance.

A 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.

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.

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.

How 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.