Physical or mechanical measures used to eliminate or reduce hazards at a worksite, such as guards, ventilation systems, or barriers. Subcontractors are often required to verify these controls are in place before work begins. They rank above administrative controls in the hierarchy of controls.
Compliance Glossary Term
Engineering Controls
Related Terms
Multi-Employer Worksite
ComplianceA site where two or more employers operate simultaneously, such as an owner, general contractor, and subcontractors. Each party carries shared safety obligations under provincial OHS legislation. Subcontractors must understand their specific duties and how site control affects liability.
TRIR (Total Recordable Incident Rate)
ComplianceA standardised safety metric that measures workplace injuries per 100 full-time workers annually. Clients use your TRIR to prequalify subcontractors for contracts and site access. A high TRIR can disqualify your crew from working on regulated job sites.
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.
TRO (Temporary Restraining Order)
ComplianceA court order that immediately halts a specific action, such as work stoppage disputes or lien enforcement, pending a full hearing. Subcontractors may face a TRO if a general contractor seeks to block liens or contract terminations. It is a short-term legal tool, typically lasting days, until a judge rules further.
FTA (Federal Transit Administration)
ComplianceA U.S. federal agency that funds and regulates public transit infrastructure projects. Subcontractors working on federally funded transit construction must meet strict FTA compliance requirements. These include labour standards, safety protocols, and Buy America provisions for materials.
FCI (Federal Contract Information)
ComplianceInformation provided by or generated for a federal government contract, but not intended for public release. Subcontractors handling FCI must meet specific cybersecurity and data protection requirements. Non-compliance can result in contract termination or disqualification from future federal work.
Latest Compliance News
Compliance
$3.5M in OSHA Fines Follow Houston Chemical Spill Cleanup That Left Workers Unprotected
Three companies face over $3.5 million in proposed OSHA penalties after federal inspectors found workers were sent into a million-gallon sulfuric acid spill cleanup without adequate training, respirators, or safety measures at a Houston-area facility.
20 hours ago ComplianceOhio Gas Explosion Triggered by Contractor Strike Destroys Three Homes, Damages 30 More
A contractor struck a natural gas line in Twinsburg Township, Ohio on June 25, 2026, triggering an explosion that destroyed three homes and damaged more than 30 others. The incident is now under investigation by state regulators, with questions over utility marking accuracy at the center of the probe.
20 hours ago ComplianceVirginia Tech Expert Calls for Automating Away Construction Hazards, Not Just Managing Them
A construction school director argues the industry must eliminate dangerous tasks entirely through automation, not rely on PPE and warning systems that can still fail.
20 hours ago ComplianceConfined Space Rescue Plans Have Critical Gaps, Industry Experts Warn
Safety+Health Magazine identifies the most commonly overlooked factors in confined space rescue planning, from over-reliance on local emergency services to skipping non-entry rescue methods and regular drills.
yesterdayRelated Guides
Compliance Guide
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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