A government or operator-imposed halt on specific activities, such as drilling or fracking, in a region. For subcontractors, this means work orders stop and contracts may be suspended without pay. Always review force majeure clauses before mobilising to areas under active moratorium discussions.
Moratorium
Related Terms
Fixed Ladder
ComplianceA permanently mounted ladder attached to a structure, vessel, or facility used to access elevated work areas. Subcontractors must ensure fixed ladders on their worksites meet provincial and federal safety standards before crews use them. Inspect for damage, proper cage guards, and fall arrest anchor points before starting elevated work.
Trench Cave-in Protection
ComplianceMandatory safety systems used to prevent trench walls from collapsing on workers during excavation. Common methods include shoring, sloping, and trench boxes. Subcontractors are legally responsible for implementing compliant cave-in protection before workers enter any trench deeper than 1.2 metres.
Hazmat-Permitted Storage
ComplianceDesignated facilities licenced to store hazardous materials such as fuel, chemicals, or drilling fluids under strict regulatory approval. Subcontractors must verify their storage sites hold valid permits before mobilising hazardous goods to a worksite. Non-compliance can trigger project shutdowns, fines, or loss of contract eligibility.
Nfpa 70e (national Fire Protection Association 70e Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace)
ComplianceA U.S. standard governing electrical safety practices, PPE requirements, and arc flash hazard protocols on job sites. Subcontractors working on energised electrical systems must comply to meet site access and insurance requirements. Canadian contractors often encounter it on cross-border projects or with American general contractors.
CLA (Combined Licence Application)
ComplianceA single regulatory submission that covers both construction permit and operating licence for a facility, such as a nuclear plant. Subcontractors may face extended pre-qualification and compliance requirements tied to the CLA approval timeline. Work scopes and mobilisation dates are often contingent on CLA milestones.
DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise)
ComplianceA certification recognising businesses owned by minorities, women, or economically disadvantaged individuals. Prime contractors on federally funded projects often must subcontract a percentage of work to certified DBEs. Holding DBE status can open doors to set-aside contracts and preferred bidder programmes.
Latest Compliance News
Maine's Data Center Moratorium Veto Signals Regulatory Risk for Electrical and Civil Subcontractors Nationwide
Maine's governor vetoed a data center construction moratorium in April 2026, but attorneys warn the debate previews the kind of regulatory friction that could stall subcontract pipelines in other states.
1 month ago IndustrySenate Bill Would Lock In LNG Export Approvals, Shielding Terminal and Pipeline Work from Future Moratoriums
A bipartisan bill from Senators Cornyn and Fetterman aims to prevent future administrations from pausing LNG export permits, offering regulatory certainty for natural gas infrastructure developers and their subcontractors.
25 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.
20 hours ago ComplianceFederal Watchdog Says MSHA Unprepared for Simultaneous Mine Emergencies
A Department of Labor inspector general report finds MSHA may lack the preparedness to handle multiple mine emergencies at once, citing outdated guidance, equipment gaps, and training deficiencies across the agency.
20 hours agoRelated Guides
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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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