The process of locating and marking buried utilities before any ground-breaking work begins. Subcontractors are legally required to call before you dig under provincial one-call regulations. Failure to comply can result in fines, project shutdowns, and liability for repair costs.
Excavation Damage Prevention
Related Terms
Hazard Assessment
ComplianceA formal process where subcontractors identify and evaluate site-specific risks before work begins. It documents potential dangers, required controls, and responsible parties. Most client operators require a completed hazard assessment before issuing a work permit.
PUCT (Public Utility Commission of Texas)
ComplianceTexas state agency that regulates electric, telecom, and water utilities. Subcontractors working on utility infrastructure projects in Texas must align with PUCT-governed standards and permitting. Non-compliance can delay project approvals and payment milestones.
Defense Production Act
ComplianceA U.S. federal law allowing the government to prioritise contracts and redirect materials to national security needs. Subcontractors may face supply chain delays or material shortages when it is invoked. Equipment and parts sourcing timelines can shift significantly with little notice.
Punitive Damages
ComplianceCourt-ordered payments that go beyond compensating actual losses, intended to punish serious misconduct. Subcontractors can face these for gross negligence or wilful safety violations. Many prime contracts include clauses limiting or waiving punitive damage liability.
Metering Calibration
ComplianceThe process of verifying and adjusting flow meters, pressure gauges, and other measurement instruments to ensure accurate readings that meet regulatory and client standards — subcontractors providing metering services must maintain current calibration records as proof of compliance and to avoid liability for measurement disputes or billing discrepancies.
Lead Service Line Replacement
ComplianceA regulated programme to remove and replace lead water pipes connecting mains to buildings. Subcontractors are often mobilised under municipal contracts to perform excavation, pipe removal, and restoration work. Compliance with environmental and safety regulations is mandatory throughout.
Latest Compliance News
EPA Pushes Back Asbestos Rule Deadline, Reopens Comment Period
EPA has reopened public comment on its proposed asbestos risk management rule, delaying publication until June 2027 as it seeks more data on legacy asbestos exposure and disposal.
yesterday ComplianceSurvey: Two-Thirds of Construction Firms Now Have SIF Prevention Programs
A Construction Safety Research Alliance survey finds most construction firms have adopted serious injury and fatality prevention programs, while high-energy control assessment adoption continues to climb.
2 days ago 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.
4 days 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.
4 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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