An unplanned event that did not result in injury or damage but had the potential to do so. Subcontractors are typically required to report near misses to the prime contractor or site owner. Failing to report can jeopardise your safety record and standing on site.
Near Miss
Related Terms
Suspension Trauma
ComplianceA medical emergency caused by hanging motionless in a harness, restricting blood flow and leading to unconsciousness or death. Subcontractors working at height must plan for rapid rescue — OSHA and provincial regulations require it. Train crews to recognise symptoms and never leave a suspended worker unattended.
Reactive Hazard
ComplianceA substance or condition that can cause fire, explosion, or violent reaction when exposed to heat, air, water, or other chemicals. Subcontractors must identify these hazards during site orientations and follow the operator's safe handling procedures. Failure to do so can trigger immediate work stoppages or removal from site.
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.
Re-Qualify
ComplianceThe process of renewing or repeating required safety, technical, or vendor approvals after they have lapsed or been revoked. Operators and prime contractors may require subcontractors to re-qualify before awarding new work. Failing to re-qualify on time can result in removal from approved vendor lists.
Fall Protection
ComplianceSafety systems and equipment that prevent workers from falling at heights above 3 metres. Subcontractors are responsible for supplying compliant gear and training before mobilising crews to site. Non-compliance can result in stop-work orders and contract liability.
CBP (Customs and Border Protection)
ComplianceThe U.S. federal agency that regulates the entry of workers, equipment, and materials across the Canadian-American border, which subcontractors must navigate when mobilising crews or hauling specialised equipment into U.S. job sites. Non-compliance with CBP requirements can result in delays at the border, seized equipment, or crews being turned away, making proper documentation and advance planning critical for cross-border field work.
Latest Compliance News
CSB Update Details Missed Warnings Before Fatal H2S Release at Maine Pulp Mill
A CSB investigation update on the January 2026 hydrogen sulfide release at Woodland Pulp's Baileyville, Maine mill finds no gas detectors, no personnel tracking system, and no building ventilation were in place before two workers died.
20 hours ago ComplianceRAM Sets September Dates for Annual Blasting Safety Course
RAM Inc. has scheduled its Blasting and Explosives Safety Training (BEST) course for Sept. 15-17 in Crazy Horse, South Dakota, with an early registration discount deadline of July 31, 2026.
20 hours ago ComplianceUK Fire Safety Guide Highlights Flame-Free Alternatives to Hot Work
A new UK construction safety guide catalogs flame-free tools and digital permitting systems meant to cut hot-work fire risk, including a prefabrication approach already in use in the United States, Safety+Health Magazine reports.
20 hours ago ComplianceOSHA Fines Texas Contractor, Staffing Firm Over Fatal Crawl-Space Death
OSHA cited D L Bandy Constructors and Pacesetters Personnel Services with over $299,000 in combined penalties after a worker died operating a modified mini-excavator in a Texas elementary school crawl space.
yesterdayRelated 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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