Stationing a worker at an open excavation or borehole to prevent unauthorised access and hazards. Subcontractors are often required to provide hole guards as part of their site safety obligations. Failing to do so can result in work stoppages or liability under site safety plans.
Hole Guarding
Related Terms
Hydrocarbon-Free Status
ComplianceA formal certification confirming that a vessel, tank, or work area contains no combustible hydrocarbons. Subcontractors typically cannot begin hot work or confined space entry until this status is verified and documented. Operators or third-party inspectors issue the certification, and it must be reconfirmed if conditions change.
Stop-Work Order
ComplianceA formal directive halting all or part of a worksite operation due to a safety, contractual, or regulatory concern. Subcontractors must comply immediately, regardless of who issues it. Downtime caused by a stop-work order may affect billing, crew scheduling, and contract timelines.
CWSRF (Clean Water State Revolving Fund)
ComplianceA U.S. federal-state loan programme funding water infrastructure projects like treatment plants and pipelines. Subcontractors often bid on CWSRF-funded work, which carries strict Davis-Bacon wage and compliance requirements. Understanding funding sources helps field crews anticipate reporting obligations and payment timelines.
Scope 1 and Scope 2 Emissions
ComplianceScope 1 covers direct emissions from equipment and vehicles your company owns or operates, such as diesel generators and fleet trucks. Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from purchased electricity used at your facilities or job sites. Prime contractors increasingly require subcontractors to track and report both when bidding on ESG-conscious projects.
Mine Rescue Station
ComplianceA designated facility equipped with emergency response tools, breathing apparatus, and trained personnel for underground mine incidents. Subcontractors working on mining sites must know the nearest station location before starting work. Some contracts require your crew to complete mine rescue familiarisation training as a site entry condition.
I-9 (employment Eligibility Verification)
ComplianceA U.S. federal requirement to verify every worker's identity and legal right to work before mobilisation. Subcontractors must complete and retain I-9 forms for all field personnel, including short-term hires. Non-compliance can result in fines and disqualification from federal project work.
Latest Compliance News
Washington Eyes New Certification Rules for Forklifts Lifting Suspended Loads
Washington's L&I is drafting rule changes clarifying when forklift operators need crane-level certification for suspended loads, following a contractor petition over the state's August 2025 crane rule update.
2 days agoComplianceOSHA Fines Maine Pulp Mill $794K After Two Workers Die in Gas Release
ISHN reports OSHA hit Woodland Pulp LLC with nearly $800K in penalties after a hydrogen sulfide gas exposure killed two workers and a separate hydrogen peroxide fire followed weeks later at the Baileyville, Maine mill.
4 days agoComplianceFleetPride Hit With 16 Serious Violations After Confined Space Death
OSHA proposed $264,380 in penalties against FleetPride Inc. after a worker asphyxiated inspecting a tanker trailer, citing missing confined space and respiratory protection programs.
5 days agoComplianceTexas Governor Orders Data Center Audit, Freezing 474 GW Interconnection Queue
Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered an audit of all data centers in ERCOT's interconnection queue, prompting the grid operator to delay its Batch Zero review and stall large-load project timelines statewide.
5 days agoRelated Guides
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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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