U.S. federal law setting minimum wage, overtime pay, and worker classification standards. Subcontractors must correctly classify workers as employees or independent contractors to avoid penalties. Misclassification can trigger back pay claims and audits on field crews.
FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act)
Related Terms
State Plan Program
ComplianceA U.S. state-run workplace safety programme approved by OSHA to enforce its own regulations instead of federal standards. Standards may differ from federal OSHA rules, so subcontractors must verify local requirements before mobilising. Operating across multiple states means tracking each plan separately.
OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control)
ComplianceA U.S. Treasury agency that enforces sanctions against designated countries, companies, and individuals. Subcontractors must screen clients and vendors against OFAC lists before accepting contracts or payments. Working with a sanctioned party can result in severe fines and contract termination.
Federal Acreage
ComplianceLand or mineral rights owned and managed by the federal government where drilling or construction activity requires federal permits and approvals. Subcontractors working on federal acreage must meet stricter regulatory requirements than on provincial or private land. Expect longer permitting timelines and additional compliance obligations that can affect project schedules and mobilisation.
Caught-In Hazard
ComplianceA workplace danger where a worker's body or clothing becomes trapped, pinched, or pulled into moving machinery, equipment, or materials — common on oilfield and construction sites where subcontractor crews work near rotating equipment, conveyor systems, or heavy moving loads. Subcontractors are responsible for identifying and controlling these hazards through proper guarding, lockout/tagout procedures, and site-specific hazard assessments before work begins.
Local Content Requirement
ComplianceA contractual or regulatory rule requiring subcontractors to hire local workers, source materials locally, or partner with regional firms. Non-compliance can disqualify you from bidding or trigger contract penalties. Common on projects funded by governments or national oil companies.
Contractor Certification
ComplianceFormal verification that a subcontractor meets a client's safety, technical, or insurance standards before being awarded work. Most major operators require active certification through third-party registries such as ISNetworld or Avetta. Lapsed certification can result in immediate removal from approved vendor lists.
Latest Compliance News
DOL Proposes Unified Joint Employer Standard Under FLSA and Other Federal Laws
The U.S. Department of Labor has proposed a new rule to create a single nationwide standard for joint employer status under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and other federal laws. The move aims to simplify compliance for businesses that rely on layered workforce arrangements.
3 days ago ComplianceOSHA Dallas Region Administrator Talks Fall Protection, Lockout/Tagout, and Enforcement Direction
OSHA's Eric Harbin, administrator of the Dallas Region, discussed fall protection failures, lockout/tagout compliance, and the agency's current enforcement posture in a new interview with Safety+Health Magazine.
22 hours ago ComplianceYour Newest Hire Is Your Highest-Risk Worker: Closing the First-30-Days Safety Gap
New workers account for a disproportionate share of workplace fatalities, with 47% of new-hire injuries occurring in the first 30 days. Here's what the data says and what subcontractors should do about it.
22 hours ago ComplianceCSB Investigates Fatal Chemical Release at West Virginia Refining Facility
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board has opened an investigation into a fatal hydrogen sulfide release at a West Virginia catalyst refining facility that killed two workers and injured more than 30 others.
3 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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