A U.S. federal law requiring vessels operating between American ports to be U.S.-built, owned, and crewed. Subcontractors providing marine labour or vessel services must verify crew eligibility and vessel compliance before mobilising. Non-compliance can result in contract termination and significant fines.
Jones Act
Related Terms
Ladder Safety System
ComplianceA fixed assembly of rails, brackets, and a climbing sleeve that prevents a worker from falling off a vertical ladder. Subcontractors are often required to install or inspect these systems before crews access elevated structures. Compliance with provincial fall-protection codes is typically a condition of site entry.
Induced Seismicity
ComplianceHuman-caused ground tremors triggered by oilfield operations like hydraulic fracturing or wastewater disposal. Regulators may issue stop-work orders, directly halting your field operations. Subcontractors should track local seismic thresholds, as exceeding them can suspend permits and delay project timelines.
Greenhouse Gas Inventory
ComplianceA documented record of all GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emissions generated by your operations, including equipment, vehicles, and fuel use. Prime contractors increasingly require subcontractors to submit one for project bids. Accurate tracking helps avoid compliance penalties and supports contract eligibility.
Barrier Envelope
ComplianceThe defined set of active safety barriers protecting against a specific hazard at any given time. Subcontractors must verify the envelope is intact before starting work. A degraded envelope requires stop-work action and notification to the prime contractor.
Eminent Domain
ComplianceA government's legal right to seize private land for public use, with compensation paid to owners. For subcontractors, it can trigger sudden project delays or site access changes. Always confirm right-of-way status before mobilising crews or equipment.
Asme Section Viii
ComplianceThe ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) code governing the design, fabrication, and inspection of pressure vessels. Subcontractors working on pressure vessels must ensure equipment bears the ASME stamp, confirming code compliance. Non-compliant vessels can trigger work stoppages and liability issues on site.
Latest Compliance News
White House Extends Jones Act Shipping Waiver Through Mid-August
The Trump administration has granted a 90-day extension to a Jones Act waiver, keeping foreign-flagged vessels authorized to move oil, fuel, and fertilizer between US ports through mid-August.
20 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.
yesterday ComplianceTwo Fatal Collapses at Violation-Heavy West Virginia Mines Signal Compounding Liability Risk
Two West Virginia coal miners died in separate accidents within 24 hours in early April 2026, both at mines with documented histories of dozens of safety violations. Here's what field contractors working near mining and heavy excavation sites need to know.
yesterday ComplianceH&P Retrofits 50 Engines With Dual-Fuel System, Cutting Diesel Use by Up to 85%
Helmerich & Payne has deployed Caterpillar's DGB Gen 2 Kit across 12 FlexRig rigs, displacing up to 85% of diesel with natural gas at a fraction of the cost of new engine replacement. Here's what it means for drilling subcontractors.
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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