Environmental Impact Statement (eis)

The process of obtaining government approvals before starting work that may impact land, water, or air. Subcontractors must confirm permits are in place before mobilising — delays can halt work without pay. Missing or expired permits can expose your company to fines and contract termination.

A standardised code system used to classify businesses by industry type across Canada, the US, and Mexico. Subcontractors use NAICS codes when registering with clients, bidding on contracts, or filing taxes. Your code signals what work you perform and affects vendor qualification and insurance requirements.

API 653 (American Petroleum Institute Standard 653) governs the inspection, repair, alteration, and reconstruction of above-ground storage tanks. Subcontractors performing tank work must comply with this standard or risk failed inspections and contract penalties. Many operators require certified API 653 inspectors on-site before authorising any tank maintenance scope.

A series of repeated safety or regulatory infractions flagged by inspectors or clients over time. For subcontractors, it signals systemic non-compliance and can trigger contract termination or disqualification from future bids. Regulators may impose escalating fines or mandatory audits based on documented patterns.

A formal permit allowing a subcontractor to use an alternative method that differs from a standard OSHA regulation. It is granted when the alternative provides equal or greater worker protection. Subcontractors must apply directly and remain compliant with all variance conditions during field operations.

The legal obligation to compensate another party for damages or losses caused by your work or negligence. For subcontractors, this typically arises from property damage, personal injury, or contract breaches on a job site. Adequate general liability insurance is your primary protection against civil liability claims.

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.