An official work request issued before any ground disturbance, requiring underground utilities to be marked out. Subcontractors must have an active locate ticket on site before excavation begins. Working without one can result in fines, liability, or contract termination.
Locate Ticket
Related Terms
CIH (Certified Industrial Hygienist)
ComplianceA credentialed professional who assesses and controls workplace health hazards such as chemical exposure, noise, and air quality. Subcontractors may be required to retain or consult a CIH to meet site entry or regulatory requirements. Their sign-off can be mandatory before work begins in confined spaces or hazardous environments.
Environmental Review
ComplianceA formal assessment required before mobilising to site, confirming your work scope meets environmental regulations. Subcontractors may need to submit documentation or hold specific certifications to pass. Delays in approval can push your start date and affect project cash flow.
811 (call Before You Dig)
ComplianceA free national service requiring subcontractors to notify utility companies before any ground disturbance. Utilities mark underground lines within 48–72 hours, reducing strike risk. Non-compliance can result in serious liability, fines, and project shutdowns.
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.
NAICS (North American Industry Classification System)
ComplianceA 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.
Audit-Defensible
ComplianceDocumentation that can withstand scrutiny from a client, regulator, or auditor without requiring additional explanation. For subcontractors, this means timesheets, invoices, and safety records are complete, dated, and traceable. Gaps or inconsistencies in paperwork can trigger payment disputes or compliance penalties.
Latest Compliance News
Texas RRC Plugs Six Orphaned Gas Wells in Baffin Bay Coastal Waters
The Texas Railroad Commission has launched a plugging project targeting six leaking orphaned gas wells near Corpus Christi, backed by $100 million in state legislative funding and $3 million from the Texas General Land Office.
2 days ago ComplianceNorth Carolina Ends Penalty Reductions in Fatal Worker Cases
North Carolina has eliminated its "death discount" policy, meaning employers will now face full OSHA penalties when workplace safety violations cause a worker fatality. Learn what this means for subcontractors operating in the state.
3 days ago ComplianceTetra Tech Tapped to Modernize Spillways at Two Columbia River Dams
Tetra Tech has been selected as lead design engineer for a multi-year spillway modernization project at Rock Island Dam and Rocky Reach Dam in Washington state, signaling active hydropower infrastructure work for civil and specialty subcontractors in the Pacific Northwest.
4 days ago ComplianceColorado Bans PPE Cost Deductions from Worker Wages
Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed S.B. 26-160 on June 3, prohibiting employers from deducting the cost of most required PPE from worker wages, with fines up to $200 per employee per week for violations.
5 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.
Stay sharp on field operations
Industry news and insights, delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe to FieldNews